The Old Man Lake wildfire near Sooke is now estimated at 188 hectares — up from 169 on Thursday — but has not come any closer to the town.
The B.C. Wildfire Service told Sooke officials in a statement on Friday that any growth of the fire “is trending away from the community and the watershed.”
Growth has been to the east where the terrain is steep and difficult, and where falling rocks and debris can pose a safety risk, the Wildfire Service said.
The number of attack crews fighting the fire has increased from four to five.
“We are reassured by the progress made by fire crews and the increased distance from populated areas,” Mayor Maja Tait said.
Ground crews and those fighting the fire from the air are working the flanks of the fire closest to the community and the watershed, the service said.
It said that light to moderate winds were expected in the fire area Friday, and rain is in the forecast from Sunday to Tuesday.
A smoky-skies bulletin was issued for Greater Victoria on Friday due to the fire.
The District of Sooke has been providing regular updates since the fire was discovered on Monday, and has now created an “information portal” through its Emergency Operations Centre, set up at the firehall, where residents can find information such as smoke forecasts and air-quality advisories.
Go online to sooke.ca for a link to the information portal.
Residents can also register for the district’s public-alert notification system, known as Alertable, for access to real-time information.
People can find Alertable at alertable.ca.
The B.C. Wildfire Service continues to warn boaters on Shawnigan Lake to stay clear of firefighting aircraft scooping water in the area.
“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,” the service said on its website.
