Crews continue to battle human-caused Wood Lake Wildfire
By Nelson Daily Staff
An estimated 135 firefighters are busy battling the human-caused Wood Lake Wildfire located 20 kilometers north of the community of Harrison Hot Springs.
The Coastal Fire Centre said the fire was reported in the early afternoon of Sunday (August 2), burning in a much used recreational forested area.
No homes or structures are at risk from this fire, and the fire is currently spreading northward away from the community of Harrison Hot Springs.
The fire experienced significant growth last evening due to high winds. Air tankers have been dropping water steadily during the afternoon and evening Sunday and Monday. There is heavy smoke in the area this morning.
Wind on August 2 fanned this fire, and blew sparks and embers ahead of the fire, which contributed to it’s growth.
On the morning of Aug 3, heavy smoke in the area hampered personnel from seeing all of the fire perimeter.
In the late afternoon, the fire experienced heavy wind, and the northwest corner of the fire became very active.
The fire is now very estimated at 600 hectares in size, and is moving northward away from Harrison Hot Springs.
Nine helicopters, two pieces of heavy equipment as well as fixed wing air tanker groups dropping retardant, are battling the wildfire.
The one air tanker dropped water throughout Sunday afternoon to slow its growth and lower fire behaviour.
Air tanker continued to drop water afternoon and evening Sunday and Monday.
This fire is suspected to be human caused, and preventable. The area has an extreme fire danger rating.
