Fire retardant is dropped on the Arbutus Summit fire on Aug. 10, 2018. Photo Credit: Carole Barnett.
Fire crews are at work to contain a wildfire that broke out overnight on Arbutus Ridge that is visible in Port Alberni.
The Coastal Fire Centre (CFC) said the five-hectare blaze was reported around midnight and Port Alberni firefighters are responding.
Video courtesy: James Flesh
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An initial B.C. Wildfire Service attack crew is also on the scene.
The fire is human-caused and under investigation.
Video courtesy: Dave Wiwchar/Peak Radio.
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Officials say efforts to fight the blaze have been impacted by a drone sighted in the area, which is prohibited within five nautical miles of a fire zone.
The CFC is calling on people to not fly drones near wildfires and they are working with RCMP in the investigation of the illegal drone operation.
The fire on Arbutus Ridge is one of two burning near Port Alberni.
The other is the Beaufort Range fire north of Cherry Creek.
The CFC says no update has been provided Friday morning but it may have expanded overnight from the estimated 10 hectares Thursday.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) says the Maple Mountain wildfire between Crofton and Maple Bay has not grown, but an evacuation alert continues as a precaution.
The alert is for homes east of Osborne Bay Road from Herd Road to Tatlo Road West.
Maple Bay fire leads five departments on hand battling the blaze, with support from Coastal Fire crews.
The CVRD says helicopter assistance is not required Friday.
No update has been provided on the estimated 179-hectare Nanaimo Lakes Wildfire, where an evacuation order and alert remains in place for properties in the area.
Officials say the fire is 25 per cent contained.
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