Around 2.3 hectares of land were charred from a brush fire which was quickly dealt with by local and provincial crews on Friday, Aug. 9. (Coastal Fire Centre)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

brush fire

VIDEO: Wildfire along banks of Nanaimo River ‘being held’

Aug 10, 2024 | 12:38 PM

NANAIMO — Crews have worked through the night to get the upper hand on a wildfire burning south of the city.

A wildfire which broke out in the late morning hours on Friday, Aug. 9 is now classified as “being held” by the Coastal Fire Centre, with around 2.3 hectares of land burned on the northern edge of the Nanaimo River.

The classification, an upgrade from being previously “out of control” means the fire “is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary”, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

Crews from the Fire Centre, along with local volunteer departments including Extension and Cranberry were called out and deployed resources to the situation along the banks of the river.

Twelve firefighters and seven operation staff are on scene from the Coastal Fire Centre as of noon on Saturday, Aug. 10, in addition to local volunteer resources.

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A helicopter and water bombing plane was also used to spread water and fire retardant Friday afternoon.

Damage to the brushland was contained largely between a walking path and the river’s edge, not directly threatening neighbouring homes and businesses.

One neighbour told NanaimoNewsNOW the fire came within 100 metres of their fenceline and described the early response “like a warzone” with the crews and planes arriving on scene.

No evacuation alerts or orders were put in place as a result of the fire, which is believed to be human-caused.

A notice from the Regional District of Nanaimo said crews will remain on scene for the time being.

“Fire crews remain on scene and will continue working throughout the day. The public is asked to avoid the area, specifically McDonald Road and Gun Barrel Access Route, to allow fire control operations to effectively access and mange the site.”

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