Wildfire near Mission, B.C., now being held

One of the only wildfires of note burning on the Lower Mainland is now classified as being held, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

Jennifer Lohmeyer, a fire information officer for the Coastal Fire Centre, says the Davis Lake wildfire, burning near Mission, is now being held.

The wildfire is estimated to be 215 hectares in size and was first discovered on July 5.

Lohmeyer adds that the recent rain that has showered parts of the province has helped, but it won’t do much in the long term.

“There is the potential for sure for dry warm weather, especially in the southern parts of the Coastal Fire Centre coming up, and that can quickly dry up the moisture we just received and increase the risk of wildfires,” she explained.

There are just under a dozen crew members working on the fire, which is in its mop-up stage. Crews are also keeping an eye on potential hot spots.

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Meanwhile, the Chehalis River fire near Harrison Lake is still burning out of control at an estimated 767 hectares in size.

It is now the largest wildfire burning in the Coastal Fire Centre.

“It is listed as being out of control, and there are currently 30 personnel, and one water tender,” Lohmeyer said.

The fire was human-caused and was first discovered on June 3.

“Right now crews are continuing to work the perimeter and extinguish hotspots,” she said.

With more than 430 wildfires burning across the province, Lohmeyer is asking people to still be vigilant in helping prevent more fires from happening.

“The long-term forecasts do suggest that temperatures will remain above seasonal through the rest of the summer, so we’re asking the public to exercise caution when enjoying the outdoors,” she said.

With files from Emily Marsten and Robyn Crawford