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
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.