The BC Wildfire Service is investigating a 2.23-hectare wildfire on Mount Prevost, northwest of Duncan, which officials suspect was caused by human activity, potentially involving the use of firearms. First discovered on July 6, the blaze, designated V60767, was classified as “being held” by Tuesday afternoon, meaning it is not expected to spread beyond its current perimeter.
Why is the BC Wildfire Service investigating firearms?
The BC Wildfire Service stated in a Facebook post that the wildfire is suspected to be human-caused and “may be related to firearms use.” While the investigation into the specific ignition source is ongoing, the agency maintains strict prohibitions across the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. These current restrictions ban Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, as well as associated high-risk activities including pile burning, fireworks, and the use of binary exploding targets.
What is the current status of the fire?
As of Tuesday afternoon, the wildfire is considered “being held,” according to the BC Wildfire Service. This status indicates that current fuel and weather conditions are expected to contain the fire within its existing boundaries. There are currently no evacuation orders, alerts, or area restrictions in effect for the area. The BC Wildfire Service has stated that should the situation change, they will work with local governments and First Nations to provide evacuation information to the public.
What happens next for the Mount Prevost area?
Fire crews remain active on the scene as they continue to monitor the site. Residents in surrounding municipalities may continue to see or smell residual smoke; Highlands Fire Rescue reported on Monday that smoke from the fire was drifting into their municipality. The BC Wildfire Service is requesting that anyone with information regarding the cause of the fire contact the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 or utilize the agency’s online reporting tool.
While current island fire danger ratings remain at a moderate level, the province is simultaneously tracking climbing drought conditions, which could influence how fire crews manage active sites like the one on Mount Prevost.
