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Crews handle fire on isolated, heavily-forested Mudge Island

Jul 25, 2018 | 2:19 PM

NANAIMO — A small person-caused fired on Mudge Island shows the danger faced by sparely populated, heavily forested islands during the hot summer season.

The Coastal Fire Centre confirmed a fire started Wednesday morning on Mudge Island, which is off the coast of Gabriola Island near Cedar and has roughly 60 full-time residents.

Dorothe Jakobsen with the Centre said it was a small fire which started in a structure and spread to the dry grass. Helicopters were brought in to douse the blaze before it got out of hand. Volunteer firefighters on the island also assisted with the initial response.

It was considered contained a few hours after the smoke caught the attention of many island residents and reportedly out by 2 p.m.

“We’re always concerned about these types of fires and the potential for structures getting caught up in that,” Jakobsen told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Fires on remote islands pose many challenges. Mudge Island doesn’t have any ferry service to shuttle firefighters and their equipment across.

“If a fire were to grow, we have agreements with BC Ferries so we can move resources to those islands,” she said. “We can also use Search and Rescue, RCMP and commercial boats if needed.”

Thankfully two helicopters were available to assist.

Jakobsen said air support isn’t always available, however, especially after sunset, which can be a real challenge if a fire sparks in the evening or overnight.

For anyone living on a small Gulf Island, she said it’s critical to have a fire response plan in place and be prepared to handle a fire or evacuate the area, even if it seems like a remote possibility.

— with files from Ian Holmes

 

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit