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Cawston wildfire holds at three hectares

Skies around Cawston are expected to be a bit smokey as firefighters continue work.
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Firefighters are onsite of a fire burning in the mountainside above Cawston. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: 5:44 p.m.

Residents should expect to see smoke and even flame coming from the Cawston fire overnight.

The fire is still estimated at three hectares but winds and higher temperatures Friday afternoon created some increased fire activity.

Three BC Wildfire Service firefighters are on scene and continue to work building the guard at the base of the fire to limit downhill spread.

Fire information officer Ryan Turcot said BC Wildfire is doing a modified response on the fire.

“Under certain circumstances it’s deemed beneficial to the landscape… if it’s not threatening anything sometimes it is better to let the fire run it’s natural courses.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

ORIGINAL:

Residents can expect to continue to see smoke from a fire burning on the mountainside south of Cawston today.

Three BC Wildfire crew members are working the fire today that remains at three hectares in size.

“There’s been no growth to the perimeter since yesterday, ” Justine Hunse, BC Wildfire information officer, said. “They’re going to be continuing with the tactics they used yesterday.”

RELATED: BC Wildfire assessing Cawston fire

Firefighters are building guard at the base of the fire to limit downhill spread.

Hunse explained building guard could mean anything from removing fuel (brush, long grass, etc.) to putting retardant down around a perimeter to even burning strips of long grass or other fuel.

Hand-ignition operations are taking place to strengthen the guard, so an increase in smoke can be expected throughout the day.

“The fire is still not considered to be threatening anything at this time including public safety.”

The fire was first noticed Wednesday evening.

Hunse said the Fairview Road fire is in mop up stage.

RELATED: Fire season not over yet

The fire, which started mid-Tuesday afternoon, grew to be 36.3 hectares in size.

The original estimates were just 15 hectares, but better mapping is the reason for the increase.

Hunse said the fire was listed as 100 per cent contained but that a grew of four firefighters would be working the area to ensure there were no hot spots left.

The cause of both fires is under investigation.

Restrictions for off-road vehicles, and a lift of the fire ban happened during the days before the fires started.

Although the area is experiencing cooler temperatures there has not been a lot of rain, so the ground is still very dry.

“We’re still asking folks to be as careful as always especially in areas that haven’t received a lot of precipitation,” Hunse said.