Smoke comes from a wildfire along Nanaimo River Rd. Monday afternoon. (BC Wildfire Service)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

wildfire response

UPDATE: Nanaimo River wildfire now ‘being held’

Jul 21, 2025 | 4:09 PM

UPDATE — BC Wildfire Service states on Tuesday, July 22 a wildfire along Nanaimo River Rd., south of Nanaimo, is officially ‘being held’ and is not expected to grow past its current three hectare boundary.

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EARLIER — NANAIMO — Firefighters from at least two local volunteer departments, as well as Coastal Fire Centre staff, are on scene of a wildfire south of the city.

Reports came in before 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 21 of smoke and flames spotted in land off Nanaimo River Rd., west of the South Forks Rd. intersection and on the northern side of the Nanaimo River.

Extension Volunteer Fire Department was among the first on scene, later supported by Cranberry and Coastal Fire Centre firefighters, including initial attack crews, officers and a water tender.

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It’s being measured as three hectares in size and was considered a ‘rank two’ fire, meaning it was a surface fire with “low vigour” with an “unorganized or inconsistent flame front”, according to the province’s scale.

Smoke was visible Monday afternoon from the Nanaimo waterfront.

Three planes from the Interior, including two air tankers from Penticton were dispatched to the scene to combine with efforts on the ground.

The BC Wildfire Service notes a BC Hydro transmission line and homes are in the general area of the fire, but there is no threat to homes or critical infrastructure as of Monday afternoon.

An open fire ban, including campfires, was implemented on Thursday, July 17, due to an extended span of hot, dry weather across much of central Vancouver Island.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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