Crews are managing to hold the Copper Canyon fire burning west of Chemainus and north of Mount Prevost to 32 hectares.
Previously referred to as the Holyoak Creek fire by the BC Wildfire Service, it was first reported around midnight Thursday and grew to 32 hectares within 24 hours. ItB次元官网网址檚 still considered out of control, but containment seems to be working.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 been no growth overnight so the fire hasnB次元官网网址檛 grown since Friday night,B次元官网网址� said Dorthe Jakobsen, fire information officer for the Coastal Fire Centre. B次元官网网址淭he crews are making good progress.B次元官网网址�
There are currently 46 firefighters working on the site, aided by the use of three helicopters, water tenders and heavy equipment.
A para-attack crew from Fort St. John literally parachuted in Friday at 5 p.m. to join the firefight due to B次元官网网址渢he remoteness of that part of the fire,B次元官网网址� noted Jakobsen. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e a self-contained team and theyB次元官网网址檙e able to bring lots of equipment. ItB次元官网网址檚 a special crew. They call them smoke jumpers colloquially.B次元官网网址�
The firefighters jumped from a DC-3 aircraft and also dropped considerable gear to be picked up and utilized on the ground.
Their ability to get into difficult locations presented by fires such as this can be a game-changer in these circumstances. Large plumes of smoke seen in the early stages of the fire rising above Mount Prevost are no longer visible.
Some rain overnight Friday was also helpful, but had minimal impact on knocking it down.
A big concern with fighting the fire has been the wind that became quite gusty at times during the weekend. There were also calmer periods where further progress could be made.
B次元官网网址淲e are in a heating trend now which does kick up winds,B次元官网网址� said Jakobsen.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 one of the reasons we are aggressively actioning this fire to contain the perimeter before the heat comes on.B次元官网网址�
Temperatures are expected to reach into the low 30s Celsius again before the end of the week.
A Local State of Emergency declared Friday by the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Municipality of North Cowichan remains in effect until Aug. 13. One property on Mount Prevost Road has been issued an evacuation order.
