The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) states the Old Man Lake wildfire North of Sooke is still about 169 hectares in size on Thursday, July 25, and saw little to no growth overnight.
The human-caused fire, which was discovered on July 22, remains out of control and according to an update from BCWS at around 12:30 p.m., there are currently five initial attack crews and one 10-person CRD crew responding to this wildfire, along with three helicopters and an unspecified number of water skimming aircraft taking water from Shawnigan Lake.
A video that was posted on social media on July 23 showing a boat on Shawnigan Lake being nearly hit by water skimming aircraft prompted a warning from the Coastal Fire Centre urging the public to keep away from areas where "airtankers or helicopters are operating."
"All boaters are required to dock immediately if aircraft are operating on the lake as any obstruction to approach, filling and departures will cause the mission to be aborted," noted the warning from the fire centre on Facebook.
According to a 10 a.m. update from the District of Sooke on July 25, B.C. Wildfire Service is not yet recommending evacuation orders or alerts, but they recommend residents to prepare a grab-and-go bag with essential items for households and pets should the situation change.
"It is best to be prepared while the situation is relatively calm, and our community is not at risk," noted the update.
Residents are also reminded to be vigilant with the current fire danger rating noted as extreme which means the fire risk is "very serious" and new fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts.
Sooke Potholes Gateway, Sooke Potholes Regional Park, Spring Salmon Place Campground, Sea-to-Sky Regional Park, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail northbound at kilometre 46 south of the Todd Creek Trestle, and access to Kapoor Regional Park remains closed.
Environment Canada's smoky skies bulletin also remains in effect for the Greater Victoria region.
For more information and to get updates on the fire, visit https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca.
