Sooke Potholes wildfire remains out of control as crews battle blaze (UPDATED)

Sooke Potholes Regional Park has been shut down indefinitely after a wildfire was discovered in the northern reaches of the park. 

The blaze was discovered at around 2:47 p.m. on Monday, July 22nd and the District of Sooke immediately issued an evacuation order to all campers and visitors in the park. 

Currently the wildfire is designated as being ‘out of control,’ meaning it is spreading or it is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.

As of 10:47 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24th, the wildfire has grown to 80 hectares in size and has four initial attack crews, 10 Capital Regional District (CRD) firefighters and three response officers fighting the blaze with three helicopters providing bucketing support.

Since Monday evening, it has grown from only three hectares when crews initially responded. 

Staff from the CRD are on-site as well providing what they can to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

The BCWS says that the fire is believed to be human caused, but has not elaborated if it was caused by a campfire, a cigarette butt or some other reason.

Related:

• Special air quality statement issued for Greater Victoria due to smoke from Sooke wildfire

In the early afternoon on Tuesday, instructions have been issued for those who had been staying at Spring Salmon Campground within the park who were forced to abandon their belongings.

According to the District of Sooke, campers claiming their belongings should:

• Check-in: Meet an escort at the Sooke Potholes Gateway, located before the first parking lot and gate
• Be escorted: Upon check-in, campers will be taken to their campsite and must promptly clear all belongings
• Exit the Park: After collecting their belongings, campers will be escorted out of the park

In addition to the Sooke Potholes Regional Park being closed, the District of Sooke is reminding residents of the region that a section of the Galloping Goose Trail which passes through the park will remain closed the blaze is being battled.

Smoke from this wildfire can be smelt and is visible throughout Greater Victoria. 

Throughout all of coastal BC, there is a fire ban in place on all types of fires right now. This includes campfires of any size.

Currently, there are 306 active wildfires across all of BC, but this blaze is the only one on Vancouver Island.

More to come on the Sooke Potholes fire as information becomes available.

The #Sooke Emergency Operations Centre closing for the evening, reopening 8am, July 23. BC Wildfire crews on site overnight. Sooke Potholes Gateway and Sooke Potholes Regional Park, incl Spring Salmon Campground, remain closed until further notice.

More: https://t.co/5AJusuLANn

— SookeCa (@SookeCa) July 23, 2024