Firefighters say hotspots 'dug into the ground' at wildfire site near Victoria
A wildfire that ignited northwest of Victoria on Tuesday morning is now considered "held" Wednesday, according to the BC Wildfire Service, as firefighters continue to manage hotspots.
The roughly one-hectare blaze was spotted early Tuesday morning on the eastern shore of Finlayson Arm, north of Goldstream Provincial Park.
The fire was located in a hard-to-reach forested slope. Municipal firefighters used boats to access the fire while the BC Wildfire Service deployed three helicopters to assist ground crews.
On Wednesday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service said the fire did not grow overnight, and that it is "not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under prevailing conditions."
Highlands Fire Rescue Chief Dean Ford says the fire is "dug into the ground" and is likely to continue smouldering because of dry conditions for quite some time.
"It's a lot of rotten rock and shale and things like that," Ford told CTV News. "You have these pits and roots and things, so it's really dug itself in there quite deep."
"We're literally having to dig up an entire hectare by hand and wet it down because there's absolutely no moisture in the ground right now," he added.
Crews with the BC Wildfire Service, Highlands Fire Rescue, Metchosin Fire Department and the Willis Point Volunteer Fire Department remain at the scene Wednesday.
About 20 firefighters are there looking for hotspots until the fire is fully extinguished.
The fire is believed to have started after a hiker got lost in the area and lit a campfire to stay warm.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.