Fire crews are mopping up after a brush fire along Sooke Road near Humpback Road.
Crews from five fire departments and the B.C. Wilfire Service had the blaze under control by 5:30 p.m. and crews began clean up at roughly 7 p.m. with single lane alternating traffic flowing just after 8 p.m.
Fire contained - in mop up Attempting to get Sooke Road reopened to single lane traffic in the next hour Thanks for your patience!
— ChiefDunlop (@ChiefDunlop) July 13, 2017
The fire broke out just before 4 p.m. and Metchosin, Langford, Sooke, East Sooke, and Otter Point fire departments responded to the blaze with 25 firefighters collectively. They were joined by six forest firefighters and a helicopter.
The Metchosin fire department was first on scene and discovered a two-kilometre stretch with 15 to 20 spot fires along the side of the road.
“It got up into a fairly heavy and dense forested area up the hill,” noted Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey, who spoke to Metchosin Chief Stephanie Dunlop just prior to his conversation with Black Press.
The fire was said to be fast moving, and one house was quickly evacuated. RCMP said the house did catch on fire, but the homeowner made it out safely.
Aubrey confirmed that one structure was lost but that no injuries have been reported.
“The biggest challenge is that it’s just really dense terrain with no water supply,” he said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but it is believed to be human caused.
An initial report from a 9-1-1 caller indicated that a car may have backfired along the road, but that claim cannot be confirmed at this time.
It’s unknown how long Sooke Road will remain closed.
A detour is available via Gillespie Road.
CLOSED - #BCHWY14 due to Forest Fire, Detour via Happy Valley Rd to Rocky Point Rd to Gillespie Rd. more info - https://t.co/s1WvrvfNmG
— DriveBC VI (@DriveBC_VI) July 12, 2017
More to come.
