Firefighters were called to Maquinna Trails this morning after a hiker spotted smoke coming out of a rottedĀ stump.
Port Alberni Fire Captain Ed Francoeur said the fire was smoldering deep under the stump, and while their investigation has just begun, he thinksĀ it could have been started by a carelessly discarded cigarette
Francoeur said firefighters needed a couple thousand gallons of water to completely extinguish the fire and soak the stump, and RCMP have been asked to investigate it as well.