Pacific Marine Road between Mesachie Lake and Port Renfrew, is open to motorists after being closed for weeks due to the Lizard Lake wildfire.
“It was open today as of 8 a.m. this morning,” fire information officer Ellie Dupont said Tuesday.
The public access restriction for areas surrounding Pacific Marine Road is still in place, according to the BC Wildfire Service. Multiple potential hazards remain in those areas, including wildfire activity, danger trees and the operation of heavy equipment. Drivers are asked not to stop.
The blaze still covers 393 hectares but as of Tuesday morning was 70 per cent contained according to Dupont.
Crews are benefiting from the eight helipads that have been set up to help move themselves and resources around the steep terrain.
About 150 firefighters have been working on the fire, which was discovered on Aug. 12.
Six helicopters and 10 pieces of heavy equipment are still in use.
“The incident management team that’s been working managing the fire for the last 12 days is going to be leaving over the next few days,” Dupont explained. “There will be a changeover in management.”
Crew members are only permitted to work 12 days in a row before having to leave the area for a break. Believed to be human caused, the a BC Wildfire investigation specialist has been working to identify the origin and cause of the fire.
Visit www.drivebc.ca for road closure information and www.sitesandtrails.ca for recreation site closures.
The BC Wildfire Service relies on citizens to alert them to any column of smoke they witness.
Calls can be made on mobile phones to *5555 or by calling 1-800-663-5555 on any phone.
