Homalco First Nation is urging greater community cooperation after a fire broke out on forested land west of Willow Creek over the weekend.

The fire was reported on Saturday to the Campbell River Fire Department, as well as Homalco staff and leadership, and was brought under control within an hour thanks to a quick response from everyone involved. The cause remains under investigation.

Homalco says the incident highlights the shared responsibility of preventing human-caused wildfires and protecting nearby communities.

The Nation has recently completed wildfire mitigation work in the area, which helped protect the community as intended.

That work has also created potential new trail corridors, but Homalco is asking the public to stay out of those areas while logging and related operations continue.

Officials say obeying posted signs and avoiding active work zones is essential to prevent injuries and reduce the risk of new fire starts.

Homalco is also reminding land users to make sure ATVs are equipped with working spark arrestors, to follow FireSmart practices, and to respect all posted signage.

In response to the fire, the Nation is increasing monitoring and public outreach through its Guardians and staff, expanding fire suppression equipment, installing trail cameras, and developing internal protocols to respond quickly when issues arise.

Homalco is also thanking a Good Samaritan, believed to be an ATV trail user, who reported the fire after spotting it, along with the Campbell River Fire Department for its rapid response and ongoing collaboration.

With 2026 expected to be one of the hottest years on record, Homalco First Nation is urging everyone recreating in forested areas to stay vigilant and do their part to prevent wildfires.