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Crews get a handle on fires that forced Malahat Highway closure

Aug 26, 2016 | 7:25 AM

MILL BAY — Crews are keeping a close eye on the remains of two small wildfires that closed the Malahat Highway near Mill Bay, creating rush hour chaos Thursrday afternoon.

The BC Wildfire Service says the Bamberton East fire had been fully contained by Thursday night, while the Bamberton West fire, believed to have been sparked by embers blowing across the highway from the first blaze, is 20 percent contained.

The highway reopened overnight while crews monitored the area to ensure no flare-ups.

A cause of the fire has not been revealed, but the fire danger rating over a large part of southern Vancouver Island is listed as extreme.