Wildfire near Sayward, B.C., continues to burn out of control with 60 firefighters, 4 helicopters on scene
The northern Vancouver Island village of Sayward remains on edge Wednesday as a wildfire continues to burn out of control just five kilometres west of the community.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says it is still not recommending evacuation orders for the village of approximately 300 people as the Newcastle Creek fire burns for a third day.
Three helicopters and multiple firetrucks were dispatched to the Newcastle Creek fire on Tuesday morning, with the possibility of a fourth helicopter joining suppression efforts by the afternoon. (Rachel Boult)
"The fire is continuing to burn in a direction that is parallel to the community," Nick Donnelly, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service's Coastal Fire Centre, told CTV News on Wednesday.
"We're expecting cooler temperatures and higher humidity today, so we'll try to take advantage of those conditions."
The Newcastle Creek fire was first reported to officials around 1:30 p.m. Monday when it covered an area of 15 hectares. High winds fueled a sixfold increase in size with the blaze reaching 90 hectares by nightfall.
Approximately 60 firefighters, four helicopters and several water tender trucks are battling the blaze, which measured approximately 160 hectares Wednesday.
"That is due in part to more accurate mapping. Yesterday, flying conditions were very poor due to the smoke so we were not able to get an accurate track," said Coastal Fire information officer Julia Caranci.
Sayward Mayor Mark Baker says village officials have "a strong plan in place" in the event that an evacuation is necessary but said current fire activity is proving "favourable" to the community.
"As we know, fire can change direction at any time, but right now we're very fortunate that no buildings have been in jeopardy," Baker told Victoria radio station CFAX 1070 on Wednesday.
"We've got people that are monitoring the situation consistently through the day and night to ensure we have ample time to evacuate, if necessary."
Sayward Mayor Mark Baker is urging anyone who encounters a forest fire – or who accidentally starts one – to alert authorities immediately to protect life and property. (CTV News)
That's good news for resident Allan Petford who had emergency supplies packed in the back of his pickup in case he had to flee.
"I had a jug of gas if I needed it and a big heavy coat and sleeping bags and tarps and ropes and everything's in there," he said.
Petford is appreciative of the amount of manpower going into fighting the wildfire.
"They're probably working pretty hard because that is an uphill climb for the fire, which is not a good thing," he said.
At the Crossroads Restaurant and Pub, the focus has been on feeding those firefighters, according to owner Laura Thiessen.
"I think we started with about 25 firefighters in the beginning and now we're up to 50, so we have 50 mouths to feed and we've been doing their breakfast, their lunch and just taking care of them while they're here," Thiessen said.
Wildfire firefighters are pictured at the Crossroads Restaurant and Pub in Sayward, B.C. (Crossroads Restaurant and Pub)
Thiessen says the restaurant is helping the firefighters with their limited budgets and has also been shifting staff hours to keep the crews fed.
"They need to eat by six in the morning so we come in at four and get everything ready and get them fed and coffee'd up and ready to go for the day," she said. "And then again at night, they come in at seven."
Sandwiches are prepared for firefighters at the Crossroads Restaurant and Pub in Sayward, B.C. (CTV News)
Caranci acknowledges the support the firefighters have received from the community.
"Our people are working very hard and we love what we do, and we so appreciate when the community reaches out to us like that," she said. "So a big thank you to all of the community members out there in Sayward."
As the firefighting efforts continue, Petford is anxious to learn who is responsible for the suspected human-caused fire.
"Was it one person or several? Were there campers up there hunting?" he said. "The thing is, you've got to find tire tracks, you have to find the trails and the tracks and see, was it an automobile or a motorbike?"
A firefighting helicopter is pictured during a wildfire in Sayward, B.C. May 31, 2023. (CTV News)
Caranci says the investigation into the cause of the blaze continues and an answer will hopefully be released after the fire is extinguished.
The provincial wildfire agency says 59 fires are actively burning in the province Wednesday, with 10 fires considered out of control.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.