Aerial support continues to work the fire with around 40 ground crew, southwest of Nanaimo Airport. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FIRE EFFORTS

Additional air support helping crews gain ground on Mt. Hayes wildfire

Aug 21, 2021 | 8:52 AM

NANAIMO — Mother nature is helping crews battling the Mt. Hayes wildfire burning southwest of Nanaimo airport.

Julia Caranci, fire information officer with Coastal Fire, told NanaimoNewsNOW the fire remains at approximately 70 hectares in size with no significant growth over the past 24 hours. Favourable weather is allowing crews to make headway into suppression efforts.

“So far it looks like we’re going to have more favourable conditions [Saturday, Aug. 21]. The winds are lighter and we do have some overcast skies which have decreased the humidity, that will work in our favour.”

There are 39 firefighters on site, with seven helicopters, four water tenders and four pieces of heavy equipment. The fire is still considered out of control and the cause is unknown at this time.

Several local volunteer fire departments are also providing resources.

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“We’re having a lot of success with using helicopters on this fire, so we’re calling in some additional resources that have become available.”

As a result of the increased air traffic from water bombing helicopters and survey planes, all daytime flights were cancelled in and out of the Nanaimo Airport on Saturday.

The public is also being asked to stay away from the fire site so crews can work.

“We definitely have some traffic control set up so people can not come to the staging area. We want people to keep a distance for their own safety.”

The fire first sparked on Thursday, Aug. 19 and grew rapidly, reaching four hectares by Thursday afternoon, 20 hectares by Thursday evening and 70 hectares on Friday, Aug. 20.

An evacuation order was issued for a Fortis BC site, containing an above ground LNG holding tank, however essential personnel remained on scene and firefighters carefully watched for any movement towards the property.

Evacuation alerts were also issued Friday for 20 properties adjacent to the fire, with the Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo regional districts coordinating efforts with area residents.

Most of Vancouver Island remains under a extremely high fire risk particularly for the south island.

“We really are imploring people to be extremely cautious when there outside enjoying our beautiful outdoors. We’re definitely as everyone knows, not through this summer yet.”

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