Photo: Contributed

Mother Nature started the Bolean Lake wildfire, and it was Mother Nature who helped get it under control.

The fire near Falkland on Chase-Falkland Road was started Monday by a lightning strike and quickly grew to hundreds of hectares.

Hard work by crews and the recent rain allowed for significant progress on the wildfire which remains at approximately 350 hectares, but is 75 per cent contained.

There were 57 firefighters, one helicopter and three pieces of equipment active on the fire line Sunday.

“Crews are using direct-attack methods to reinforce the guards and mop up hot spots along the fire’s perimeter,” said Noelle Kekula, on-site Fire Information Officer, BC Wildfire Service.

Despite the progress, an evacuation alert remains in effect for 25 properties.

For details go to csrd.bc.ca.

An area restriction around the wildfire to protect the safety of firefighting personnel and the public remains in force. For a map of the restricted area, go to bit.ly/1geCj3T.http://bit.ly/1geCj3T

“The BC Wildfire Service would like to thank the public for their diligence in reporting any smoke or flame they may see,” said Kekula. “In periods of increased fire activity, the BC Wildfire Service relies on public reports as well as other fire detection methods in order to locate new wildfires.”

To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on cellular networks.

You can also follow the latest wildfire news on Twitter at twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo, or on FaceBook at facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo.