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Sayward fire not growing, remains out of control

Fire is about 5.6 kilometres from Sayward, no evacuation alerts are imminent.
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The wildfire west of Sayward on Vancouver Island in late May. B.C. WILDFIRE SERVICE

A wildfire near the north Island community of Sayward reported a week ago continues to burn out of control, but it hasn’t grown since being measured at about 208 hectares on Friday, says Coastal Fire Centre information officer Kimberly Kelly.

The fire was estimated at 15 ha when reported last Monday afternoon and was at about 90 ha by mid-week. It was measured at its current size when clearing smoke allowed a more accurate measurement to be taken, Kelly said.

The distance from Sayward, with a population of about 350, remains at around 5.6 kilometres.

“Twenty per cent of the fire is burning into steep slopes and inaccessible terrain,” Kelly said.

She said that wind was expected Sunday but firefighters were prepared for it.

The only other fire to be reported on Vancouver Island is a .5 ha blaze near Cameron Lake.

People should be careful outdoors due to current weather conditions, Kelly said.

“The fire-danger rating is moderate to high for all of the Coastal Fire Centre, so we’re asking the public to use extreme caution with any campfire or cigarette butts.”

jbell@timescolonist.com