Mount Benson, typically a darker green, is shrouded in smoke Tuesday as the region deals with poor air quality from a wildfire burning near Sayward. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

hazy skies

Smoke from wildfire near Sayward blanketing Nanaimo & Oceanside

May 30, 2023 | 12:04 PM

NANAIMO — A smoky haze is covering much of Vancouver Island, stemming from an out-of-control wildfire up north.

The Newcastle Creek wildfire, about five kilometres west of Sayward, sparked around 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 29, and is believed to be human-caused. It’s sent smoke high into the air which has drifted with the prevailing winds down Island.

Julia Caranci, information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre, said winds helped grow the fire, estimated to be about 90 hectares.

“It’s out of control. We are expecting cooler temperatures and higher humidity over the next two days, so that’s good news for us. The Town [of Sayward] is being impacted by smoke from this fire, as are other parts of the Island. It is burning in the direction that is generally parallel to the community of Sayward.”

She said they are not recommending any evacuation alerts for the community of Sayward at this time. The Town is regularly communicating with residents and changes in the fire’s direction, with the last update early on Tuesday, May 30 saying no infrastructure or residences were threatened.

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About 55 firefighters have been assigned to the scene, along with three helicopters and a few water tenders.

Smoke from the area is extending across much of Vancouver Island.

According to the B.C. Air Quality Index, Nanaimo was measured at a five, or moderate level, as of late Tuesday morning, the highest concentration of smoke for the mid-Island so far this year.

Environment Canada also issued a special air quality statement around 11 a.m. Tuesday morning advising of smoky conditions in the area for the next 24-48 hours.

The smoke is also causing regular calls to 911 from area residents concerned about the smell being something closer to home.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews have responded to nearly a dozen calls related to the smell of smoke in the area since midnight Tuesday.

Spring fires continue to keep Coastal Fire Centre crews busy, according to Caranci.

“So far we’ve had 44 fires within the Coastal Fire Centre, 22 of those were on Vancouver Island, and all were suspected to be human-caused. Now that’s not unusual that most of the fires in spring are generally human-caused.”

She said lightning-caused fires are more of a concern in later summer when conditions are much drier.

The BC Wildfire Service lists just two wildfires burning on Vancouver Island as of Tuesday morning, with the second being a few kilometres south of Hyde Creek, but is marked as under control.

Information regarding the current wildfire conditions can be found at the BC Wildfire Service map.

–with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow