There were some anxious moments for residents living in a small neighbourhood in the Chilliwack River Valley Thursday evening.
Thick smoke was seen in the Paulsen Road area just before 5 p.m., not far from Chilliwack Lake.
Given the tinder-dry conditions in the region, the Chilliwack River Valley Fire Department wasted little time dispatching crews to the scene.
Three vehicles were sent, including a tanker truck to bring water to the blaze.
The Coastal Fire Service was also alerted and soon had a helicopter enroute to drop water from the air.
When firefighters arrived, they found a smouldering fire, showing heavy smoke and some flame.
It’s believed it was started by an unattended campfire.
Crews from the BC Wildfire services were also on the scene. They were supported by a second helicopter.
“Forestry is working from other side of river from our community now,” wrote Linda Koskinen on the Chilliwack Progress Facebook page. “Fire was started from a campfire. Crew has pumps and hoses over there now.”
The fire was soon contained, said Melissa Gilbert, but crews remained on site overnight to ensure there were no flare ups,
There is a small clutch of homes and cabins in the Paulsen Road area, and neighbours were grateful for the quick response in this, the worst wildfire season on record in B.C.
“This could have been a lot worse but chopper and firefighters and forestry got on it pretty quick,” said Koskinen.
Watch for more information on this website as it becomes available.