An ‘out-of-control’ wildfire burning north of Sooke has seen “no significant growth” overnight, says BC Wildfire Service.
The Grass Lake fire – first discovered July 14 in the Sea to Sea Regional Park – is estimated to be 1.2 hectares in size.
In an update shared Tuesday morning (July 15), BC Wildfire Service said the fire is primarily a “slow smouldering ground fire with no open flame and white smoke.”
However, there are pockets of “low vigour surface fire with visible, open flame.”
The eastern flank of the fire is most active, said BC Wildfire Service, and “rolling debris” has been observed.
There are currently 16 firefighters and one helicopter assigned to the fire.
Retardant was dropped Monday around the fire and at its centre, to help prevent spread and to cool the centre of the fire.
“When flames come in contact with the retardant, it reacts with it,” explained BC Wildfire Service. “This releases a combination of water and carbon dioxide. This helps cool and suffocate the flames.”
The Capital Regional District has closed all trails within one kilometre of the incident.
The fire is suspected to be human-caused.
Another fire between Sooke and Port Renfrew, first reported Sunday (July 13), is now “under control” as of Tuesday morning (July 15).
The Ivanhoe Creek fire, located northeast of Highway 14 on the Kludahk Trail, is 0.44 hectares in size. Its cause is still under investigation.
The wildfire at Harris Creek near Pacific Marine Road, first reported July 2, also remains under control, according to the BC Wildfire Service.