Wildfire on Read Island at 27 hectares, 20 per cent contained

Wildfire on Read Island at 27 hectares, 20 per cent contained
BC Wildfire Service
The Read Island Wildfire, east of Quadra Island.

A wildfire that broke out on Read Island Friday is now 27 hectares with 20 per cent containment.

The Read Island Wildfire, east of Quadra Island. (BC Wildfire Service)

The Read Island Wildfire, east of Quadra Island. (BC Wildfire Service)

Donna MacPherson, fire information officer from the BC Wildfire Service, said the fire, which is burning on a knoll below the canopy of trees, was started by lightning. It was discovered on June 7.

The location of the Read Island wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

The location of the Read Island wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

A skimmer group worked on the fire east of Quadra Island on Friday and Saturday. The group had four aircraft that have the ability to pick up water out of the ocean or lake and drop it on wildfires.

“These are big coastal trees and it is hard to break water to the ground,” MacPherson said.

On Monday, 53 firefighters and five helicopters were working on putting out the blaze, which is still classified as out-of-control. Crews had to lay a hose from a lake a kilometre away as there is no water source near the wildfire.

MacPherson said crews are challenged by the steep terrain, heavy trees and remote location. All supplies have to be flown in.

There are curretly 32 active wildfires in British Columbia as of June 10.

Alexa HuffmanAlexa Huffman

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