Forestry actioning out-of-control wildfire in Cawston

A wildfire near Cawston has exploded to 160 hectares and is still not contained.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation but began in the Fairview Road farmland area and spread into the mountains around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The B.C. Wildfire Service has 26 firefighters on the ground, two helicopters bucketing water from the air and one piece of heavy equipment helping build guards around the blaze.

Air tankers hit the fire hard as it quickly spread into the mountains.

Spokesperson Max Birkner said another 20 more firefighters will join crews at the Cawston fire Wednesday.

Investigators are on their way to the blaze to determine how it began.