It only took a matter of minutes for flames to
rip through the tall grass engulfing this Blvd.
Quite the sight for onlookers Tuesday afternoon.
But now a different sense is taking over.
Yeah, that smell is is strong.
The whole area now charred.
But had it not been for the quick response of
fire crews and a water truck that just happened to
be passing by, witnesses say it could have been much
worse.
The fire was impressive and it was moving fast, hitting
it right away and I'm knocking that down initially.
Probably gave a lot of time and saved some of
the trees in that side as well.
So first response on those things is imperative.
It's a reminder of just how dry the conditions are
on southern Vancouver Island, where high or extreme fire danger
ratings along with smoke are now blanketing the region.
Community members can expect to see a lot of smoke
in the area over the next couple of days, and
it'll just depend on winds and where that smoke is
choosing to settle.
This is the source.
The Old Man Lake fire was first reported on Monday,
burning roughly 9 kilometers north of Sook, estimated to be
80 hectares.
The campground in the the area has since been cleared
out of an abundance of caution.
I think we spent maybe 5 minutes at the river
before we were told to evacuate the premises.
But the good news is the growth on the fire
is trending away from the community and critical infrastructure like
the watershed.
BC Wildfire Service says the situation is being carefully monitored.
We have crews on site around the clock and they
are evaluating things like weather, fire behavior in those local
conditions just to ensure that they and the folks in
the vicinity around them are safe to be there.
Over the next day or so, the smoke should start
to clear, but don't expect the risk to go along
with it.
Just start up this video proof.
It doesn't take much.
Don't throw cigarettes out the window.
Don't you know, be careless.
You know, you just be.
Be smart.
Kylie Stanton.
Global News.