A pilot flying over Metchosin spotted smoke from the air Thursday morning and called it in, helping firefighters locate three small fires burning in a remote trail system before they could grow. “He saw something and he said something,” Metchosin Fire Department Capt. Jacob Lamb told CTV News. Lamb said the fires were reported at about 10 a.m. Aug. 13 in the trail system off Neild Road. The pilot, who was flying with the Victoria Flying Club, helped crews pinpoint the fires using photographs taken from above. “It was a pretty remote area,” Lamb said. About 10 firefighters responded with an engine, a tender, two utility vehicles and an ATV. Reaching the fires was challenging. Crews had to travel through private property, an old logging road and established trail systems before they could access the area. Once there, firefighters found three separate fires. The largest covered roughly 40 by 40 feet. Another was about five by five feet, while the third was approximately 10 by 10 feet. All three were extinguished. Lamb said there is no evidence the fires were deliberately set. Given the amount of activity in the area, he believes the fires were likely human-caused. “I would definitely chalk it up to carelessness,” Lamb said. The fires were burning in a remote area, making the pilot’s call particularly important. Had they gone unnoticed and continued burning into the afternoon, changing heat and wind conditions could have made the situation much more serious. “There’s no telling how bad it could have gone,” Lamb said. Lamb said Metchosin is experiencing hot, dry conditions and drought, creating a significant wildfire risk. A campfire ban is also in effect in the area. He said people using the trail system need to think carefully about how their activities could spark a fire, particularly with the number of off-road vehicles using the trails. His message to the public is simple: pay attention and speak up. “Just be vigilant,” Lamb said. “Be aware of your activities and possibilities of fire from your activities.” He also urged anyone who sees or smells smoke not to assume someone else has already reported it. “If you see something, say something,” he said. “This is not the time to second-guess yourself,” Lamb added. “It’s not a waste of time to get a fire department to go check out any suspicion of fire.”
