Crews battle growing wildfire in Nanaimo Lakes area
Posted August 6, 2018 7:32 pm.
Last Updated August 6, 2018 9:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NANAIMO (NEWS 1130) – Almost 40 firefighters, five helicopters, heavy equipment and air tankers are battling a growing fire in the Nanaimo Lakes Area
The fire was two-hectares in size when it was first discovered on Sunday but has since grown to 75-hectares in size.
The Regional District of Nanaimo has declared a local state of emergency due to the fire.
Homes west of the fire have been placed under an evacuation order. According to the district “the fire potentially threatens the life and property of persons, residents, present in this area.”
Seventy-seven homes east of the fire have been placed under an evacuation alert.
Natasha Bronznitsky with the Coastal Fire Centre says the warm weather is not helping.
“It’s certainly hot and you know, no precipitation on this fire so that can influence the fire behaviour and make it more active,” she says.
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Winds have not picked up, which Bronznitsky says has helped crews.
“Our ground crews have also received air tanker support just to sort of cool down some areas that they are working in.”
She says the flames are also burning close to high-voltage power lines.
