The Copper Canyon fire has been held at 32 hectares since early on the weekend, but crews still don't have it under control. (submitted photo/BC Wildfire Service)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FIRE SEASON

Hot forecast has crews redoubling efforts on wildfire southwest of Chemainus

Aug 9, 2021 | 10:36 AM

NANAIMO — Crews are continuing to halt the progress of a wildfire burning approximately nine kilometres southwest of Chemainus.

The Copper Canyon wildfire, formerly the Holyoak Creek fire, hasn’t grown in size since overnight on Friday, Aug. 6 and remains at 32 hectares.

It is still listed as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service and information officer Dorthe Jakobsen told NanaimoNewsNOW crews are hitting it hard in anticipation of a change in the weather.

“The fire is burning in tough ground…but we can drive up to the staging area and work from there. We’re taking very aggressive action on this fire over the next couple of days, trying to control the perimeter knowing there’s going to be hot weather coming this week.”

Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures in the high 20’s and low 30’s beginning Tuesday, Aug. 10.

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A total of 46 personnel are on scene, with three helicopters, water tenders and heavy equipment working to contain the fire.

A para-attack team from Fort St. John was deployed over the weekend, in a first-of-its-kind operation on Vancouver Island. Jakobsen said they continue to work at higher elevations.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District issued a local state of emergency for an area surround the fire, with an evacuation order in place for one property.

An investigation into the cause of the fire continues, with it believed to be human caused.

Jakobsen could not say whether the Copper Canyon fire was linked to an adjacent fire discovered a few days prior around a kilometre away, which is under control at 0.3 hectares and also believed to be person caused.

A complete open fire ban remains in effect for the Coastal Fire Centre, excluding Haida-Gwaii.

“That means no fires at all, no beach fires, no campfires, no bonfires, no category two or three fires. We ask the public, even though it looks like we’ve had rain and cooler temperatures, it’s still quite dry out there.”

Nanaimo Airport recorded its first measurable precipitation in 52 days on Friday, Aug. 6 when around two millimetres was collected.

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