The wildfire burning near Sooke is now considered a "lower-intensity" fire, according to the community's mayor.
The Old Man Lake wildfire burned out of control for a week before crews listed the blaze as being held as of July 30. After a visit to the affected area, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said the fire has been contained to the bottom half of a six-tiered intensity ranking system.
The Capital Region wildfire has held steady at 230 hectares for several days. Tait said in a Thursday statement that the burning has largely been maintained to intensity rankings one to three, which range from smouldering ground to moderately vigorous surface fires. The higher tiers include fires that are more aggressive and impact tree crowns.
"While there is impact, seeing the impact of the understory versus the entire tree canopy throughout is reassuring," Tait said.
The mayor praised the B.C. Wildfire Service’s efforts to combat the blaze.
"From the safety measures to the logistical challenges of allocating water and equipment to the site, even beyond the firefighting, the remarkable skills and physical feats displayed by the firefighters were evident,” her statement said. “The collaborative efforts of firefighters, support staff and all involved have made a significant difference in protecting our community and environment."
The Capital Regional District is also working to support the reopening of local parks and trails that were closed due to the fire, the mayor added.
Tait noted the wildfire will still require sustained action for some time.
"Our community has shown incredible strength, and together, we will continue to navigate this challenge with determination and hope."
