By Dominic Abassi

UPDATE: 25 firefighters, 2 helicopters contain wildfire near Nanaimo Lakes

Jul 2, 2018 | 9:21 AM

NANAIMO — More than 20 firefighters and two aircraft have contained a sizable wildfire near Nanaimo Lakes.

Gene Drew, regional wildfire coordination officer for the Coastal Fire Centre, said the blaze grew to about 10-hectares (24-acres) in size after it was reported around 5 p.m. Sunday, July 1.

He said it’s located about half-a-kilometre from Nanaimo River Rd., along Rush Creek near Third Lake.

“It had no growth overnight. It’s currently just a smouldering ground fire, which is like a rank 1 burning intensity,” Drew told NanaimoNewsNOW.

He said the fire is believed to be human-caused. “We are able to suspect that because we have no evidence of a natural cause right now.”

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Twenty-five firefighters, two excavators and two helicopters will continue containment operations all day Monday, Drew said, adding there would be more suppression needed Tuesday.

Patrols will follow to monitor any flare-ups.

— with files from Kyle Ireland

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi