New wildfire burning out of control on southern Vancouver Island
Firefighters are tackling a wildfire just west of Ladysmith, B.C. on Thursday afternoon.
The fire, located about two and a half kilometres west of Highway 1 near Mt. Hayes, was reported Thursday afternoon, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The fire is currently four hectares and is considered out of control since it was only recently discovered.
The fire is burning at a rank of two or three on B.C.'s six-point scale, meaning it ranges from a "low-vigour surface fire" to a "moderately vigorous surface fire."
(Province of B.C.)
(Province of B.C.)
There were 10 firefighters, four helicopters, two water tenders and air tanks at the scene shortly after 3 p.m., according to B.C. fire information officer Gordon Robinson.
No structures are at risk as of Thursday afternoon, and the cause of the fire is not yet determined, according to Robinson.
The Nanaimo Airport tells CTV News that airspace is restricted near the fire, and that it is cancelling flights into Friday. The airport adds that it's also providing water to fire crews.
"(We want) to encourage people to be careful out there and to report smoke columns if they see it," said Robinson.
"We've been pretty fortunate on the coast so far this year compared to the Interior and that's partly because of early reports."
There are currently two other wildfires burning on Vancouver Island.
The 32-hectare Copper Canyon fire north of Duncan continues to burn Thursday, though it is considered "under control," according to the B.C. wildfire dashboard.
Meanwhile, a minor wildfire in the Kaikash Creek area, near Port McNeill, is being held. The 100-square-metre fire is believed to have been caused by lightning.
Robinson notes that a campfire ban remains in place for all of Vancouver Island, and much of B.C.'s coast except for Haida Gwaii.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.