Mount Jack Fire Near Sooke Downgraded to 'Being Held'

The Mount Jack wildfire west of Sooke, BC was reclassified from 'out of control' to 'being held' on September 26 after rain fell near the fire the previous evening, cutting fire behaviour to mainly Rank 1 (a smoldering ground fire with no open flame). The fire remains at 276.19 hectares, essentially unchanged from the September 24 estimate. BC Wildfire Service said crews are making good progress on all operational objectives, with roughly 65 firefighters and support personnel — including a Capital Regional District crew, heavy equipment operators, and danger tree fallers — continuing to expand containment along the accessible south and west flanks. The fire, discovered September 20 and determined human-caused, has triggered no evacuation orders or alerts and is not considered a threat to structures or critical infrastructure. Drier weather was forecast for the weekend, with cooler temperatures and additional rain expected Monday evening into Tuesday.