Smoke from the largest wildfire burning on Vancouver Island created smoky skies from Parksville to Port Hardy.
Donna MacPherson, fire information officer from the Coastal Fire Centre said the Wolf River fire, which is 200 hectares in size, created a haze from smoke due to a weather inversion late last week.
"If people are smelling smoke or seeing haze, it's most likely from that fire," she explained.
The fire, which has been smoldering since a lightening strike Aug. 18, reignited Sept. 1, and is being controlled by a modified response.
MacPherson said because the fire is on a severe cliff face, the fire is difficult to fight.
"We have to look at the safety of our crew. It's hard to put any one below or on top of the fire," she noted. "We've discussed it with BC Parks, and they felt because it's a naturally occurring fire and it's not near any infrastructure, to continue with the modified response."
She added the Coastal Fire Centre has established trigger points for the fire, and if the fire does move beyond the designated points, they will re-evaluate their attack plan.
MacPherson noted the hot and dry weather has increased the capacity for the fire to burn, but added the low-intensity fire is good for the ecology.
Both BC Parks and the Coastal Fire Centre will continue to monitor the fire this week.
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