The fire raging on Dog Mountain at Sproat Lake has now reached 100 hectares, said B.C. Coastal Fire Centre fire information officer Ellie Dupont.
The blaze started at the top of Dog Mountain which is B.C. Timber Sales property, said Dupont, but has since spread down to privately owned land at the lake shore. On uninhabited cabin was destroyed but sprinkler systems have been set up to wet down the other cabins.
While the fire was reporterted at 12:30 p.m., the first retardant drop by a tanker wasn't until almost 3 p.m., according to Ben West, who owns property on Lakeshore Road. Dupont said that the delay to getting fire apparatus on scene is organizational.
"A call comes in and you send someone out to make sure it actually is a fire and get resources out there," said Dupont. "Port Alberni is a little ways away from where the resources were kept."
According to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, "a local state of emergency and an evacuation order issued to assist in battling the wildfire on Dog Mountain remains in effect for the Dog Mountain forest fire at Sproat Lake."
The ACRD emergency operations centre remains open at level one.
“It’s important to remember that wildfire activity can be unpredictable and can have serious public safety impacts. Do not take unnecessary risks,” ACRD CAO Russell Dyson said. “We ask for the public’s help in respecting the evacuation order and associated alerts in place, and we also encourage residents to always be ready for unexpected emergencies with a grab-and-go bag and supplies that can last you up to 72 hours.”
A wildfire smoke advisory has also been issued and individuals with respiratory issues are urged to be cautious.
For more information on the Dog Mountain wildfire, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.
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