A brush fire in Nanaimo’s Bowen Park is now under control, say firefighters.
Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were called to the 500-block of Bowen Road for reports of a brush fire at around 7:00 a.m. Wednesday as smoke could be seen billowing from the park.
Cpt. Jason Battie of Nanaimo Fire Rescue told CHEK News the fire was at a homeless encampment deep within Bowen Park and crews have now managed to get the blaze under control.
He said crews are extremely concerned the fire could consume the entire forest given its location within the park.
“Due to the fuel that is brought in, like propane and gasoline, which would increase the spread and intensity of the fire,” he said.
Battie also said the blaze is the second one at a homeless encampment in the city that firefighters have responded to in less than 10 hours. The first one occurred shortly before 4 a.m. near Third Street Park.
The brush fires come as Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for parts of eastern Vancouver Island.
The heat warning is in effect for Courtenay to Campbell River, Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay.
Environment Canada says daytime highs will be 29 to 35 degrees inland and roughly 27 degrees near the water Wednesday and Thursday, with an early morning low as high as 18 degrees.
CHEK News
