Skip to content

Crews holding wildfire near Port Mellon

The BC Wildfire Service says the fire that broke out near Port Mellon on June 19 is now estimated at three hectares in size, but is being held.
Avalon
A wildfire burns near Port Mellon on June 19

The BC Wildfire Service says the fire that broke out near Port Mellon on June 19 is now estimated at three hectares in size, but is being held.

The fire, which was spotted late Wednesday afternoon about three kilometres south of Port Mellon near the Avalon log sort, grew to two hectares by 5 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Two air tankers, four water-bucketing helicopters and a ground crew that included a Wildfire Service officer and six firefighters were brought in for the initial attack on the fire which has been designated the Woodbridge Road Fire.

On Thursday 24 firefighters were on scene, with air support from two helicopters, working to establish fire breaks to contain the fire.

A section of the Port Mellon Highway was closed briefly Wednesday night, to bring in heavy equipment, but the road was reopened by Thursday morning.

Kathy Cloutier, director of corporate communications with Paper Excellence said Thursday that there had been no direct impact to Howe Sound Pulp and Paper.

The Coastal Fire Centre said the fire is listed as person caused, but they’ve since confirmed Wednesday afternoon’s strong winds brought a tree down across a power line, sparking the blaze.