UPDATE: B.C. Wildfire Service says it will be working today, Aug. 22, to establish a “control line” around the perimeter of the Mt. Hayes wildfire near Ladysmith.
The fire started Thrusday, Aug. 19, and has burned 73 hectares and necessitated evacuation alerts and orders for nearby properties. Addresses on Takala Road, David Road and Ivey Road remain on evacuation alert.
“BCWS is actively working to create a 20-foot control line involving the use of fireguards,” noted a press release Sunday, Aug. 22, from the Cowichan Valley Regional District. “Light winds in the weather forecast on Sunday are not expected to impact the progress made by fire crews up until this point.”
Read the rest of the update at this link.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED: According to an update at 4:37 p.m. on Aug. 21, B.C. Wildfire Service said, “Significant portions of this fire have burned to control lines and are now contained. While it continues to be classified as out of control this fire has not grown since the morning of Aug. 20. Burning at rank 2, a low vigour surface fire with open flames but no organized flame front.”
PREVIOUSLY POSTED: The Mount Hayes wildfire, south of Nanaimo, continues to burn, but has not grown in size, according to B.C. Wildfire Service.
The fire, burning 4.5 kilometres northwest of Ladysmith, remains at 70 hectares, has “experienced minimal growth overnight” and continues to be classified as out of control,” B.C. Wildfire Service said in an update the morning of Saturday, Aug. 21.
A joint evacuation alert issued by the Regional District of Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley Regional District Aug. 20 remains in effect for 20 properties on Takala, Ivey and Davis roads, said B.C. Wildfire Service, and the CVRD also issued an evacuation order for an industrial property to the west of the fire and Bush Creek Fish Hatchery to the east of it.
While Nanaimo and North Cowichan areas are forecast to have mainly sun today, there is a 30 per cent chance of showers forecast for both areas on Sunday, Aug. 22, according to Environment Canada.
FortisBC’s Mount Hayes LNG facility is in the vicinity of the fire and in a social media post, it said it is monitoring the situation and working with emergency services, with only essential personnel on site. There are contingency plans and on-site fire control in place.
Ground crews continue to work to establish anchor points and control lines with support from heavy equipment and helicopter bucketing. Please see https://t.co/4cj2SQCTRM and https://t.co/OoFWAjKVR0 for details on evacuation orders and alerts. #BCWildfire
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 21, 2021
The fire was first discovered on Aug. 19, according to B.C. Wildfire Service, and is seeing 56 firefighters, five helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment being utilized in the effort to battle the blaze.
The cause is under investigation, said B.C. Wildfire Service.
For up-to-date information on the fire, go to http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=873
RELATED: Properties near Mt. Hayes wildfire on evacuation alert
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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