Wildfire activity is intensifying on Vancouver Island, with two fires listed as out of control by the B.C. Wildfire Service, including a Leech River-area blaze that is 100 hectares with further growth expected. The fire was discovered Sunday and is burning about four kilometres west of Sooke River, south of Mount Jack, near the Sooke Potholes. Plumes of smoke from the fire are visible from parts of the Sooke area. Erika Berg, a fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre, said multiple crews are responding, with support from helicopters, air tankers and other aviation resources. “It’s a dynamic situation,” Berg said. “It’s likely that folks in the area will see activity from firefighting aircraft,” she said. The increased activity comes after several new fires were reported across Vancouver Island over the weekend. “We’ve had a handful of new starts over the weekend on Vancouver Island, in particular,” Berg said. “The fuel conditions paired with this warm and dry weather that we have had is fuelling the activity that we’re seeing on Vancouver Island,” she said. The warm and dry conditions are expected to persist until at least Tuesday, Berg said, with cooler and wetter weather expected later in the week. The cause of the Leech River fire is suspected to be human. Another fire near Nitinat Main was discovered Saturday and has grown to 12 hectares. The suspected cause is human, and helicopters are assisting firefighters. A fire in Pat Phillip Creek, burning between Juan De Fuca Park and Highway 14 is estimated at 0.3 hectares is being held. It was discovered Sunday, and aircraft have been deployed to assist ground crews. As of Monday afternoon, none of the fires were threatening structures, and there were no area restrictions associated with the fires. Fire size and status can change quickly as crews assess conditions and work to contain the flames. Residents are encouraged to check the B.C. Wildfire Service incident map for the latest information on individual fires, including changes in size, status and potential impacts.
