Staged ignitions near the isthmus of the Dog Mountain peninsula will cause the fire to grow to 400 hectares throughout the course of the day, said B.C. Coastal Fire Centre fire information officer Marg Drysdale.
"The fire will grow due to preplanned ignitions," said Drysdale. "It's premeditated growth."
There are 31 crew, including the Thunderbirds, and three helicopters working on the Dog Mountain fire.
Regarding a rumoured jump of the fire from the peninsula to the mainland, Drysdale said that "nothing of the sort" has happened.
Drysdale said they've received an unprecedented number of calls about the Dog Mountain fire, even compared to larger fires elsewhere in the Coastal FIre Centre.
"We are getting a far greater volume of calls," Drysdale said. "We don't mind people calling if they have legitimate concerns. But the 'friend of a friend of a friend' calls are concerning because it means people aren't getting their information from the proper sources."
Drysdale cautioned against putting unsubstantiated information online, saying that it adds to unconfirmed rumours. Instead, anyone who sees new smoke should call 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 on your cellphone) to report the fire to the forestry fire services.
What is not acceptable, Drysdale said, is confronting fire crews.
"A major concern for us is our staff being confronted on site," said Drysdale. "Our staff do their jobs and they do them well."
Drysdale reminded the public that the firefighters on the ground are following orders and not involved in the politics of the provincial firefighting response.
"Our crews have to concentrate on fighting the fire. They are very passionate and they take the criticism to heart."
To report a forest fire, call 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 on your cellphone). Only first hand reports should be reported—second, third and fourth hand reports should not be. Instead, ask those who say they have seen new smoke or flames to report the fire themselves.
For more information on the wildfire situation, please visit www.bcwildfire.ca and follow the BC Forest Fire Info on Facebook.
The News will continue to report new information as the CFC or local authorities and fire departments confirm it. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and the News website.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com