Zeballos, a village in northwest Vancouver Island that is home to about 100 people, is under evacuation alert because of a wildfire that is raging in a nearby forest.
People living on the east side of the community have been advised to have their emergency kits, clothes, medication, and important documents ready to take with them on 30 minutes notice.
The wildfire was started by a lightning storm that hit the steep side of a mountain over the weekend. Its location is such that firefighters have had a difficult time trying to reach it.
However a video taken by resident and volunteer firefighter Ernest Smith shows that as of 9 a.m. on Friday, August 17th, the fire appears to be receding after a day of being battled by firefighters and helicopters.
Here’s the video:
Online reports say the village has never had anything like this happen so close to home before.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, 59 lightning-caused wildfires are currently active on north Vancouver Island, and 104 firefighters and 12 support staff are working to extinguish them.
Photos/videos taken in Zeballos on August 16th:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484235762048810&set=pcb.484239155381804&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484235808715472&set=pcb.484239155381804&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484235525382167&set=pcb.484239155381804&type=3&theater
