A new wildfire was discovered southwest of Nanaimo on Sunday as Vancouver Island was hit with record-breaking temperatures.
The Manson Creek fire had grown to an estimated 8.6 hectares by midday Monday but was not expected to grow.
Coastal Fire Centre information officer Kimberly Kelly said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Two initial-attack crews and heavy equipment were used on the fire on Sunday, allowing crew members to create a fire guard around most of the perimeter, Kelly said.
She said there were 25 personnel at the fire on Monday, with air support being used as needed.
The new blaze was found as several communities set new heat records over the weekend.
Saturday was the hottest Aug. 23 on record at the Victoria International Airport (31.1 C, beating the 1916 record of 30.0 C), Comox (30.3 C, beating the 1966 record of 30.0C ), Qualicum Beach (29.6 C , beating the 1966 record of 27.8 C), and around the Malahat (31.9 C, beating the 1987 record of 30.5 C).
New records for Aug. 24 were set Sunday in the Malahat area (30.2 C, beating the 2022 record of 29.8 C) and in Campbell River (32.2 C, beating the 2016 record of 32.0 C).
Courtenay (30.3 C), Comox (30.3 C) and Nanaimo (33.3 C) all tied the existing records for Aug. 24.
Environment Canada meteorologist Matt Loney said that high temperatures will persist for parts of the Island until Friday, but could come down on the weekend and be accompanied some cloud due a marine influence on the weather.
There is no precipitation in the immediate forecast, Loney said.
Temperatures in the Port Alberni area are expected to be in the 30s through Friday, and to reach 30 C around Nanaimo on Tuesday, followed by three days in the mid-20s.
Victoria is forecast to be 25 C and largely clear on Tuesday, with cloud and slightly lower temperatures expected Wednesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Mount Underwood fire south of Port Alberni is rated as being held at 3,525 hectares. The blaze, which was discovered Aug. 11, is not expected to grow beyond its current perimeter.
Power to the area was restored on Saturday after B.C. Hydro crews completed repairs to fire-damaged lines, but the main road to the village of Bamfield and the First Nations around remains closed.
Initial assessments show part of the road is “unsafe for all traffic” due to falling rocks, dangerous trees and a fire-damaged slope.
A detour route is available via Youbou.
— With files from Hannah Link and The Canadian Press
