A wildfire evacuation alert that has been in place over a community on a small island has now been lifted.
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) said in a press release it has now lifted the alert over the community of Owens Bay on Sonora Island — off Vancouver Island’s east coast — after recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
BCWS says they have now achieved enough suppression to call the fire ‘under control’, meaning there is no risk of the fire spreading further.
The small community has been under an evacuation alert since Thursday after a 5.3-hectare fire broke out nearby. A crew including 22 firefighters and two rappel crews have been fighting the blaze since Friday.
A crew of 14 firefighters will be working to fortify a ‘blackline’ around the fire — a method of removing fuels via digging or burning to prevent fire spread — about 50 to 100 feet along the perimeter.
The fire was proving to be difficult to fight because of the area’s poor communication reception, steep terrain and lack of road access.
The SRD says residents are reminded the fire is still an active blaze and fire activity will still be seen inside the perimeter.
Sonora Island is among the islands that make up the Discovery Islands. It is located near Quadra Island and is approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Campbell River.
READ MORE: Sonora Island wildfire now classified as being held, difficult conditions remain for firefighters
Justin Waddell
