An out-of-control wildfire in Sooke Potholes Regional Park is burning about five kilometres from the region’s water-supply area. But the Capital Regional District said Tuesday the fire is not currently deemed a risk to the watershed or its tree canopy.
Dubbed the Old Man Lake Fire, the wildfire was first spotted at 3 p.m. on Monday and was believed to be about three hectares in size. That had expanded to 169 hectares by Wednesday and it was still burning out of control, said the Coastal Fire Centre.
The CRD said in a statement that the fire’s behaviour, the terrain it’s in and wind direction are limiting the risk to the watershed. It said it’s continuing to monitor the fire’s proximity to the water-supply area and any potential effects on water quality that could result.
Ash from a wildfire that falls in the water reservoir can increase the turbidity of the water and render UV disinfection ineffective. Wood ash is also a nutrient, making the water more susceptible to algae blooms.
The fire is east of the Sooke River, in the northeast section of the park. Visitors and campers in the area evacuated as a precaution and the park was closed.
Sam Bellion, fire information officer for Coastal Fire Centre, said the fire grew overnight Monday due to sustained winds that also helped give the fire service a better idea of the size of the burning area. “The winds did blow away some of the smoke, giving us a better aerial view of the fire.”
She said on Tuesday afternoon there were four B.C. Wildfire Service attack crews on site as well as 10 Capital Regional District contractors.
A number of helicopters and fixed-wing planes were assisting but Bellion said the steep terrain where the fire is burning restricts their effectiveness.
The fire is believed to be human-caused.
The Sooke Fire Department was the first to respond, with personnel and equipment from Metchosin, East Sooke and Otter Point fire departments assisting.
“There were four engines, two tenders and 15 to 16 firefighters in total,” said Sooke Fire Chief Wayne Kennedy, who assumed the role on July 20.
He described the area where the fire is burning as “steep, vertical and dense,” making it difficult for firefighters to tackle.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said crews worked throughout Monday night with at least three helicopters. She said a call had been made to deploy water tankers, but that was dependent on visibility.
The B.C. Wildfire Service issued a notice to the public to stay clear of aircraft skimming water from Shawnigan Lake for fire-suppression efforts.
Tait said an emergency command centre had been set up for resources sent by the municipality’s mutual-aid partners, and municipal employees have been told it’s “all hands on deck” to aid in the firefighting efforts.
A smoky-skies bulletin was issued for the Victoria area late Tuesday morning.
The bulletin said fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the greatest risk, with seniors, young children and people with chronic illnesses among those most likely to be affected.
It advised limiting time outdoors and keeping doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven said Greater Victoria and much of the rest of the Island are expected to be cooler this week than in recent days, with temperatures around the low 20s.
Wind from Juan de Fuca Strait will make sites near the ocean even cooler, with highs in the upper teens.
Dry conditions are expected to persist, however, with no significant rainfall in the forecast, Erven said, although there’s a chance of a light shower Wednesday evening.
There has been lightning in other parts of the province but none is in the immediate Island forecast, she said.
The District of Sooke said that people who had been staying at the Spring Salmon Place Campground, which was evacuated on Monday, can collect any belongings left behind by first checking in at the Sooke Potholes Gateway — at the park entrance.
After checking in, they will be escorted to the campground, which is run by the T’Sou-ke First Nation.
“Best efforts will be made to provide support quickly while we respond to what may be a changing situation,” the district said in a statement. “Your understanding is appreciated.”
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