Crews from the BC Wildfire Service are responding to a wildfire near Skutz Falls Road about 10 kilometres east of Cowichan Lake.

This fire is burning in slash (felled and bucked timber) on a steep slope and is highly visible from Cowichan Lake Road.

This fire was exhibiting Rank 4 behaviour (vigorous surface fire) in some areas. It is not threatening any homes at this time and no road closures have been implemented due to firefighting operations.

Crews worked on this fire overnight. Two initial attack crews, two BC Wildfire Service response officers, contract firefighters and an excavator are assigned to this fire today and a Type I Unit Crew (20 firefighters) is en route. Industry partners have also supplied 18 firefighters, three water tenders and one industry representative.

Airtankers were able to complete several drops on this fire on Tuesday night. Two heavy helicopters, two medium helicopters and one light helicopter have also been assigned to this fire. Additional aircraft will be used as needed.

It’s suspected that this wildfire is human-caused. It will be investigated to determine a specific cause.

Campfires are prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre with the exception of the North Island-Central Coast Natural Resource District, Haida Gwaii and the “Fog Zone”. Category 2 and Category 3 open burning is still not allowed throughout the Coastal Fire Centre's jurisdiction.

People are urged to use extreme caution in forested areas to ensure they do not start a wildfire. To report a wildfire or an open burning violation, call *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity and burning prohibitions, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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