A wildfire which started on the afternoon of May 29 in Sayward is out of control, as crews continue to battle the fire which is just west of town, in the Newcastle Creek area.
#BCWildfire Service is responding to the Newcastle Creek Fire (V80527) located 5.6 km West of #Sayward on Northern Vancouver Island. This fire was reported in the early afternoon on May 29 and is currently estimated to be 15 ha in size and is out of control. pic.twitter.com/NJRH7zvAHf
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) May 30, 2023
The fire, which was believed to be human caused, has spread to approximately 90 hectares overnight as high winds have rendered the fire difficult to keep under control, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
Approximately 55 firefighters were deployed to combat the fire this morning, and three helicopters and air droppers are on location.
According to B.C. Wildfire Service information officer, Nick Donnelly, the fire was currently burning in a position parallel to the town of Sayward.
“The fire is burning in a slash,” said Donnelly. “The wind direction is pushing it within a direction that is making it basically parallel.”
Donnelly says that the temperatures in the coming days could have a positive effect on taming the wildfire.
“We’re expecting cooler temperatures and higher humidity in the coming days,” said Donnelly. “That’s good news.”
Donnelly maintains that no infrastructure or residential homes are in the path of the fire, and are not under threat at this time. In addition, no evacuation orders are in place and a Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been made within Sayward.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.