Flames are being fanned by strong winds near Sooke, where a fire in the nearby provincial park continues to grow. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Alex Rawnsley

fire danger

Sooke fire continues burning as extreme fire danger ratings persist on central Island

Jul 24, 2024 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — While no lives or structures are in immediate danger, a tall plume of smoke stemming from a wildfire on the south Island is a close-to-home reminder fire season is here.

The Old Man Lake fire, burning around nine kilometres north of Sooke, is listed as out of control, burning approximately 50 hectares of land in and around the Sooke Potholes Regional Park.

Sam Bellion, information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre, said winds have fanned flames steadily since it was first reported mid-Monday afternoon.

“This fire is burning at a rank two-three, and that’s a low to moderately vigorous surface fire. It’s currently classified as out of control and is suspected to be human-caused.”

Attack crews from the BC Wildfire Service, along with local Regional District staff, are monitoring and fighting the fire, with more resources standing by if necessary.

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Bellion said the smoke was most noteworthy, as the fire is not threatening any lives or property.

An evacuation order was put in place for approximately 30 campers in the nearby campground as a precaution

Over 50 hectares of land has burned near Sooke, the result of another human-caused fire. (BC Wildfire Service)

The situation is the most notable to date for the Coastal Fire Centre in what’s been a relatively quiet fire season so far.

Bellion said 58 fires have been reported since April 1, burning fewer than 100 hectares. All but one were determined to be human caused.

At the same point in 2023, 177 fires were reported and almost 80,000 hectares burned, led by large fires at Cameron Bluffs and near Sayward.

“Much of the Island is still in that high fire danger rating, with [southern Vancouver Island] in that extreme fire danger rating so that means fires will ignite easily, spread quickly, and challenge our suppression efforts.”

Areas around the City of Nanaimo also remain in an extreme fire danger rating as of Tuesday, July 23.

“We did see a little bit of rain over that North Island area which brought the fire danger rating down in some of those areas, but we are in summer, so the hot, dry weather will continue on,” Bellion added.

Fire danger ratings as of Tuesday, July 23 show much of the south Island in an ‘extreme’ category. (Provincial government)

In addition to favourable weather conditions, Bellion attributed some of the success on a lack of fires this year to quick reporting.

Recent updates to the BC Wildfire Service app for smartphones enable people to send better information to first responders.

“One of the things we’re loving here at the Centre is the ability for folks out there on the land base or in the backcountry to report a wildfire and include photos and a GPS location information.”

The only other fire listed on Vancouver Island is an under control spark at the Harmac facility in Duke Point, south of Nanaimo.

Despite some smoke over the July 13/14 weekend, flames never left the property and crews were on hand quickly to handle a smouldering hog fuel pile.

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