A highway has been shut down as crews battle a 135-hectare wildfire that was discovered near Port Renfrew on Tuesday.
The Pacific Marine Circle Route has been closed between Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan due to the fire.
It is burning about 20 kilometres east of Port Renfrew and one kilometre north of Lizard Lake
Fifty-five firefighters, five helicopters and air tankers have been dispatched to fight the blaze, according to the Coastal Fire Centre.
Thirty-eight campsites at the nearby Lizard Lake Campground has since been evacuated, and a manager is on scene to assist campers with leaving the area.
Residents in Lake Cowichan reported seeing heavy smoke as a result of the wildfire.
The Coastal Fire Centre describes the fire as “very vigorous” and said it is racing uphill through steep slopes.
They’ve determined the fire was human-caused and said the cause is currently under investigation.
Weather conditions in the area were hot and dry on Wednesday. The fire was initially reported as being 50-hectares, but later reports put it closer to 135 hectares.
Coastal Fire Centre’s website listed the status of the fire as being in the “initial attack” stage.
Posted by Ryan Saunders on Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Cowichan Lake residents reported seeing heavy smoke in the area as a result of the fire. Aug. 12, 2015. (Twitter/@jacsrons)
