Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were kept busy with a series of small spot fires in brush off the Nanaimo Parkway Tuesday afternoon. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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NANAIMO — Fire crews are battling several fires, which are believed to be deliberately lit.

Smoke was seen coming from bushland off Northfield Rd., near the Nanaimo Parkway on Tuesday, July 4 around 11:40 a.m.

Several fires were quickly located and attacked by Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) crews just east of the Nanaimo Parkway, north of the Northfield Rd. intersection. Another roughly 20′ by 10′ fire was seen a short time later near the Visitor’s Centre on the west side of the Parkway.

“We have at least five fires behind me here and two more across the other side of the Parkway,” Capt. Brian Cripps said on scene. “We had a witness come up to us and describe someone who was lighting the fires, the police currently have him in custody.”

Cripps added the witness told him the man was “yelling incoherently” as he was walking.

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Fires stretched for roughly a kilometre along the Parkway, Cripps estimated.

Multiple engines were tasked with handling several fires off the Nanaimo Parkway Tuesday afternoon. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Significant traffic impacts
The Nanaimo Parkway’s southbound lanes were closed between the Mostar Rd. and Third St. exists at about 1:20 pm. on Tuesday to allow room for emergency response vehicles.

In addition at the same time, westbound Northfield Rd. traffic headed toward the Parkway was closed at Boxwood Rd.

Considerable backups were also reported for northbound travellers on the Nanaimo Parkway.

One in custody
Nanaimo RCMP confirmed they had a man well known to them in custody and linked to the situation.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said roughly half a dozen people saw an older man running along the Parkway trail lighting fires.

“Our members were aware of who this person was, they have dealt with him prior and about 30 minutes later they successfully located and arrested that individual.”

O’Brien added they’re keen to ensure they press substantial charges against the man, but they need help from witnesses.

“Everybody who indicated [to Nanaimo Fire Rescue] they saw this person left before police could speak with them. There’s about five people, so we need to speak to these people as soon as possible and get that information on file so we can put charges before the courts on this individual.”

Trouble spot
Cripps said the area is always one they watch for this time of year, especially in dry and windy conditions like those on Tuesday.

“Wind doesn’t help that’s for sure, but we get fires in here every year. There’s a lot of homeless camps in here but it’s mostly just grassland and trees. There’s always access challenges here but there are some dirt roads back here we can get in but we were able to secure a supply line and stretch a lot of hose line.”

Crews are expected to be on scene for several hours dousing hot spots and ensuring no further fire spread.

In an unusual request NFR requested backup assistance from the East Wellington and Lantzville fire departments.

Nearby resident Jeff Louwers said the situation was “pretty alarming” and “sad to see”.

“School’s out now but there’s still the school there, a lot of houses, dry conditions, it could have been a lot worse. These guys got here pretty quickly and looks like they contained it quite well, hats off to them.”

He added there is a consistent challenge with homeless camps in the immediate area.

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