Sooke firefighters extinguished a brush fire near Basinview Heights on Monday afternoon.
The fire was reported just after 12:30 p.m. and flames were out just before 1:30 p.m. The estimated size was 100 feet by 80 feet (30 metres by 24 metres) before it was extinguished.
Ben Temple said the fire was mostly burning in “fine fuels.” No structures were affected during the fire but there was a house nearby.
“Fire moves quite quickly up the hill so we were concerned right off the bat,” Temple said.
“One of our top priorities was to set a wet guard to stop the progression of the fire up the hill towards the house.”
According to the Sooke Fire Department, the fire is a Rank 2 fire, which is a low vigour surface fire. Characteristics of a Rank 2 fire include visible, open flame, unorganized or inconsistent flame front and a slow rate of speed.
Firefighters will typically directly attack a Rank 2 fire with ground crews using handtools, water delivery systems, or heavy equipment. Hand constructed control lines and lines that have been cleared of combustible material can also be used.
Sooke firefighters were supported with mutual aid from Otter Point, Metchosin and East Sooke. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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