Crews battling the Green Mountain fire, approximately 45 kilometres southwest of Nanaimo have held it to 16 hectares. (submitted/BC Wildfire Service)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

HOLDING PATTERN

Crews have Green Mountain fire held ahead of forecasted rain this week

Aug 4, 2020 | 10:18 AM

NANAIMO — Crews continue to have the upper hand on a smoldering wildfire in the mountains southwest of Nanaimo.

Since being discovered on Friday, July 31, a fire on Green Mountain grew in size to 16 hectares over the long weekend and is listed as ‘being held’ as of Tuesday morning.

Dorthe Jakobsen, Coastal Fire Centre information officer, told NanaimoNewsNOW crews have been dealing with considerable challenges accessing the site.

“The crews were laying hose and establishing fuel free breaks,” Jakobsen said. “We also had air tankers dropping retardant on Friday initially on the accessible areas, but it’s so steep and so rocky, even the retardant can’t get to those steep slopes.”

Two helicopters, four fallers and 40 firefighters are among the contingent on site Tuesday.

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Cooler weather over the weekend aided in crew efforts in fighting the fire.

The next goal for firefighters is to have the wildfire near Fourth Lake ‘under control’ before it is considered ‘out’.

The Coastal Fire Centre will continue to watch over the wildfire and surrounding areas for signs of continued activity, triggered by last week’s lightning storm.

“We will be monitoring certainly until the next big rain event which is coming on Wednesday,” Jakobsen said. “We will be looking puffs of smoke and hoping the public continues to report what they see.”

To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555.

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