Fire crews will continue to mop up hot spots on the Arbutus Summit over the next few days.
A wildfire has been burning on the summit since August 9, although it has not grown since Tuesday, Aug. 14. The fire was listed at 30 hectares as of Monday, Aug. 20, and Coastal Fire Centre fire information assistant Dorthe Jakobsen said that the fire is now under control. The BC Wildfire Service will continue to have a crew mopping up any hot spots that occur, and some smoldering might be seen.
“We have 15 firefighters and a helicopter on the scene,” said Jakobsen.
READ: Wildfire crews gain upper hand on Arbutus Ridge fire
Crews spent the last week doing “controlled burns” to remove underbrush and other fuel sources for the fire. Otherwise, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District stated in a release on Friday, Aug. 17 that wildfire activity in the Alberni Valley has been “very calm” over the past week.
“There has [been] very little activity except for monitoring of the Turtle Lake, Beaufort and North Taylor Arm fires,” the release stated.
Due to the smoke from fires burning across the province, a Smoky Skies Bulletin has been issued for all of Vancouver Island by the Ministry of Environment as of Monday, Aug. 20.
This is a special type of public advisory that is issues when areas of the province are being impacted by wildfire smoke. People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, infants, children and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.