Wildfire near Nanaimo prompts evacuation orders for LNG facility, fish hatchery

LADYSMITH (NEWS 1130) — The Mt. Hayes wildfire burning between Nanaimo and Ladysmith is holding at 70 hectares, but evacuation orders are in effect for an LNG storage facility and a fish hatchery, and 20 residences are on evacuation alert.

The fire sparked Thursday afternoon and grew rapidly into the evening and overnight. It is the only out of control fire on Vancouver Island, and has been classified as a wildfire of note.

“We understand that the high visibility of the fire is causing ongoing public interest and concern,” says a Friday evening update from the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

Photos from that fire on #VancouverIsland near #ladysmith #nanaimo area #northciwichan last night from #thetisisland pic.twitter.com/kxTFzyRgOQ

— Wolf Scheuer (@ProStarMech) August 20, 2021

Here are some shots of the forest fire near Mount Hayes on Vancouver Island near Ladysmith BC that started yesterday afternoon. Currently it has reach over 70 hectares and is still burning. This is the closest I have ever lived to an active wild fire. pic.twitter.com/5fjWnRdEh5

— Kim (@Kbit78) August 20, 2021

Forits BC’s Mount Hayes LNG storage facility, which holds 1.5 billion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas, has been ordered to evacuate but “essential personnel” are still on site.

“FortisBC has contingency plans for fire scenarios as well as on-site fire control and response equipment in place,” says a statement from the district.

The Bush Creek Fish Hatchery has also been ordered to evacuate. Those whose properties are on evacuation alert are being told to repare to leave, and that emergency officials will be going door to door if an order is issued.

Mt. Hayes Wildfire – A joint Evacuation Alert has been issued by the CVRD and the RDN. For details visit: https://t.co/39gOKrSj20. We will have a call centre open today until 5pm to answer questions at 250-390-0940. pic.twitter.com/JIfCS28tKn

— RDN (@RDNanaimo) August 20, 2021

People are being urded to avoid the Cowichan Valley Regional Trail in the area of Christie Falls.

“Additional traffic controls and road blockades are in place to restrict access where there is a concern for public safety,” the district statement says.

Crews will work overnight, and an update is scheduled for Saturday morning “or earlier if the information is time sensitive.”

The fire danger on much of Vancouver Island and parts of the Coastal Fire Centre is ranked at high to extreme, similar to ratings in portions of B.C.’s five other fire centres. he Ministry of Forests says nearly 8,600 square kilometres has been lost to wildfires since the start of the fire season and wildfire officials warn conditions this year match those seen in 2017, when more than 12,000 square kilometres of land was burned in B.C.’s second-worst fire season on record.

With files from The Canadian Press