Wildfire near Nanaimo ‘being held’ at 16 hectares: BC Wildfire Service

Wildfire near Nanaimo 'being held' at 16 hectares: BC Wildfire Service
File photo/CHEK
The Green Mountain wildfire southwest of Nanaimo.

The BC Wildfire Service says the wildfire currently burning southwest of Nanaimo is classified as “being held” at 16 hectares and is now 40 per cent contained.

A wildfire that is being held means it is not likely to spread under current conditions.

Dorthe Jakobsen, Coastal Fire Centre information officer, said Tuesday that 40 firefighters, four fallers and heavy equipment and a couple of helicopters are still working on putting out Green Mountain wildfire. The fire is approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Nanaimo.

Jakobsen said that crews will likely be working on the fire for a little while due to the steep terrain and cliffs in the area.

“It’s slow going,” she said.

Jakobsen also said the wildfire has burned half a hectare of the 300-hectare wildlife management area where the Vancouver Island marmots’ habitat is located on Green Mountain. The BC Wildfire Service does not think, however, it is having an impact on the marmots.

The Vancouver Island marmot is a critically endangered mammal that is unique to Canada.

Meanwhile, another wildfire on Vancouver Island started Monday near Parksville.

Jakobsen said lightning is believed to be the cause of the fire at Craig Creek, located between Parksville and Nanoose Bay. As of Tuesday, the wildfire is 0.01 hectares in size.

To see a full list of wildfires in the Coastal Fire Centre, visit the BC Wildfire Dashboard.

READ MORE: Firefighters ‘mopping-up’ forest fire burning on Pender Island mountain

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