Fire partially contained

Photo: Contributed - Bernadette Jarrard

The B.C. Wildfire Service is describing the Shelter Cove wildfire as 25 per cent contained this morning, after cooler temperatures Thursday and overnight allowed crews to establish control lines.

Jordan Turner, fire information officer, said the bulk of the containment runs along Westside Road, as this line has been the top priority due to its proximity to homes.

Despite the progress, Turner said he expects the total area of the fire to have increased from yesterday’s 460 hectares, although he doesn’t have an exact number at this time. He attributes the growth to the increase in activity along the southwest flank of the fire.

Sixty firefighters along with seven helicopters will be fighting the fire today, looking to establish more control lines along the north and south flanks. They will also be mopping up more areas near Westside Road to ensure houses there remain protected.

Turner said the western flank is the least controlled, but there are natural barriers on that side, specifically old fire remains.

“It would be the area that is not yet fully contained, but it’s also the area furthest away from anything that could be threatened,” Turner said.