Firefighters have been able to stop the fire near Nanaimo River from spreading any farther.
The B.C. Wildfire Service reported this afternoon that the fire near Nanaimo River Road and McDonald's Road is now classified as 'being held' after burning up 2.3 hectares on a steep area on the riverbank. Based on fuel for the fire, weather conditions and availability of firefighting resources, the fire is not expected to burn any more of the woods there.
The fire was spotted around noon on Friday, Aug. 9, and crews from B.C. Wildfire Service, Extension Volunteer Fire Department and Cranberry Volunteer Fire Department co-operated to extinguish the blaze.
The wildfire service reports that 12 firefighters and seven operational field staff are assigned to combat the fire. Previously there were air resources deployed, including a helicopter, a skimmer plane and a bird dog navigation plane.
Members of the public are still being asked to avoid the area if possible.
B.C. Wildfire Service believes the fire was human-caused.
VIDEO: Firefighters, including helicopter crew, fighting blaze along Nanaimo River
