The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) has declared a State of Local Emergency due to the Mount Hayes wildfire, currently burning west of Ladysmith.
The CVRD says it applies to Electoral Area ‘H’ west of the Trans Canada Highway, and the area north of Tyee Creek in Electoral Area ‘G’.
The Coastal Fire Centre (CFC) says the wildfire has grown to an estimated 20 hectares in size since the fire was reported shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
An Evacuation Order has been issued for a single industrial property, owned by FortisBC, at 3591 Ninattii Road, which the CFC says was within two kilometres of the wildfire.
“The fire will be monitored overnight with shifting weather conditions. A public restriction to the area has been established, limiting access to forestry roads,” a CVRD media release said late Thursday night.
Map of the State of Local Emergency declared by the Cowichan Valley Regional District late Thursday night, due to the Mount Hayes wildfire.
“The CVRD Regional Emergency Operations Centre remains in contact with municipal fire response teams, the Town of Ladysmith and the Stz’uminus First Nation for situational awareness.”
Coastal Fire says contract crews have joined initial attack crews to fight the fire, with more support expected in the morning.
A vantage of the wildfire west of #Nanaimo airport shot from #Ladysmith @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/oXhrtHbU35
— Kendall Hanson (@Kendall_Hanson) August 20, 2021
CFC says the fire was driven by windy conditions.
Earlier Thursday afternoon, people helped evacuate Takala Trails Ranch west of Nanaimo airport, moving 20 horses on the advice of fire officials.
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