Wildfire burning on mountain near Sooke is human-caused, officials say

Sooke wildfire mostly contained, still smouldering While the wildfire is still smouldering above town, maybe more concerning is the fact it is human-caused.

Fire crews in Sooke were dispatched to a wildfire burning on a mountainside above the community that officials say is human-caused.

Sooke Fire Rescue confirmed it received a 911 call about the blaze in the area of Mount Manuel Qumper and Harbourview Road just before 1 p.m.

All firefighters on duty responded, and the department said it had a crew of five on the ground.

As of 4 p.m., the wildfire had grown to 0.5 hectares and was not contained. A BC Wildfire Service spokesperson later confirmed the blaze was caused by human activity.

"People need to smarten up since in the Coastal Fire Centre so far this season, there have been 39 wildfires. All are human-caused," said Fire Information Officer Marg Drysdale, adding that from Friday to Monday alone, 12 human-caused fires were sparked in the region.

The BC Forestry Service has also sent two helicopters and an attack crew of eight firefighters to the scene.

The fire centre said it was described as a "light brush burning" and no homes were at risk.

A witness snapped a photo of smoke rising from the Mount Manuel Quimper area, in between Sooke and Saseenos, from his boat.

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the fire danger rating for most of Vancouver Island was listed as "high" as of Tuesday.

Fire officials say with an upcoming week of hot, dry weather, conditions won't be getting any better.