Crews are attacking three wildfires burning on Vancouver Island after a hot, dry weekend that saw 60 new fires sparked across the province, mostly by lightning.
The Coastal Fire Centre said an estimated two-hectare blaze burning at Elk River just west of Campbell River is sending columns of smoke into the sky.
Slash and brush are fuelling the fire, which is burning in private forested land. A crew of eight firefighters, two helicopters and an air tanker group have been deployed, the centre said Monday.
Many reported seeing the smoke on social media as air tankers dropped retardant to set a perimetre for the fire. It has not been contained.
Another wildfire was reportedly sparked on Crown land near Comox Lake. Officials estimate it to be 0.1-hectares in size.
Two bucketing helicopters and two initial attack crews comprising six people have been deployed to battle the blaze. Fire officials said they hope to have the blaze in control by dusk.
A third brush fire burning near Duncan shut down a major route for hours Monday.
DriveBC reported Highway 18 was closed in both directions between Tansor Road to the Highway 1 junction because of a forest fire.
The Coastal Fire Centre said it was reported at around 3 p.m. at Duncan Meadows Golf Club.
Strong winds fanned the flames down the length of Highway 18 -- a stretch of about 1.2 kilometres, according to officials.
At some point it even jumped the highway and stretched to the base of Mount Prevost.
The cause may have been a blown transformer on the golf course, a fire centre spokesperson said.
Much of Vancouver Island is currently listed at a fire danger rating of “extreme.”
Though slightly cooler weather and isolated showers are in the forecast this week, officials expect a return to hot, dry conditions for the weekend.
Some 60 fires have been sparked across B.C. in the last 24 hours and almost all were sparked by lightning, Provincial Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek said Monday.
Nearly 1,200 wildfires have been sparked in the province so far this season.
