Firefighters suspect a cigarette butt tossed out a car window ignited at grass and bush fire in Metchosin Thursday afternoon.

The fire started near Deer Park Trail road shortly after 1 p.m. When Metchosin volunteer firefighters arrived, the sizable fire was about 200 feet by 70 feet as it crawled up a rock bank, said fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop.

B次元官网网址淥nce we got there is didnB次元官网网址檛 take long to get it under control,B次元官网网址� Dunlop said.

The rock face was covered with a thick layer of moss, which made fire crews cautious.

B次元官网网址淭he fire can reoccur because it can travel under the moss,B次元官网网址� Dunlop said, explaining the crew made sure to carefully extinguish smoldering moss and surrounding areas.

The fire started near the roadway and crept up to private property. The fire was not reported by the homeowner because they couldnB次元官网网址檛 see the fire travelling up the hill, Dunlop said. The blaze was reported by a neighbour across the road.

Langford Fire Rescue was called in as mutual-aid before the size of the fire was determined. The Langford crews did not stay on scene as it took six Metchosin fire fighters to contain and extinguish the fire.

B次元官网网址淧eople need to dispose of their cigarette butts properly,B次元官网网址� Dunlop said.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com