Port Alberni RCMP say a woman has been arrested for allegedly starting a wildfire near Devils Den Lake in Port Alberni.
Just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 6), an off-duty officer from the Port Alberni RCMP observed and reported a fire in a forested area near the Stirling Arm Forest Service Road and Canal Main Forest Road. Police responded to the area and located an individual who they suspect is responsible for the fire.
The suspect is a 27-year-old woman, but police have not released her name. She is being held in custody to be brought before the courts.
The fire, estimated to be 0.5 hectares in size, is currently classified as "being held," according to BC Wildfire. This means the fire is expected to stay within the current perimeter, control line or boundary, as long as fuel, weather conditions and resource availability stay the same.
The fire is close to Tseshaht First Nation's main reserve, but according to a social media post from the nation, there is no danger to lives or infrastructure and the fire is moving away from the reserve. There are currently no evacuation orders in place. Part of Mission Road was closed on Tuesday evening to minimize traffic congestion in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424.
