©BC Wildfire Service

The “out of control” wildfire burning in the Sooke Hills has doubled in size overnight. The Mount Jack wildfire now stands at 210.4 hectares, according to a Wednesday morning (Sept. 23) update from the BC Wildfire Service. First discovered Sept. 20, the fire has continued to grow, fuelled by warm, dry and windy conditions. “Initial growth was observed towards the northeast, up the rocky slope of Mount Jack,” said an update from BC Wildfire Service Wednesday. “Additional growth has been reported cross-slope to the west and southeast.” Lower temperatures and possible precipitation later this week should help moderate activity and support suppression efforts, the service adds. Located about four kilometres west of Sooke River, and south of Mount Jack, the wildfire currently does not pose a threat to public safety or critical infrastructure.