PARKSVILLE — It continues to be a 24/7 fight against flames northeast of Cameron Lake, but progress is being made.
The Wesley Ridge wildfire has grown to 511 hectares in size as of noon on Monday, Aug. 4 and is now designated a ‘Wildfire of Note’ by the BC Wildfire Service.
Fire information officer Madison Dahl said during a Monday media briefing efforts continue to focus around the eastern side, both to the northeast to protect residences, and the southeast to maintain travel along Hwy. 4.
“Along the northeast edge of the fire ground crews and structure protection have secured water delivery, and they continue to suppress hot spots in and around residences, working to secure the guard and limit further spread. On the southeastern portion of the fire, ground crews are using direct attack strategies, removing fuel from the leading edge of the wildfire.”
A map of the fire boundary and current evacuation orders and alerts, as of noon on Monday, Aug. 4. (BC Wildfire Service)Dahl added heavy equipment is establishing control lines near Hwy. 4, and water delivery systems are being put in place to directly attack the fire.
On scene Monday are 164 personnel, including provincial and local firefighters from the Coombs and Dashwood departments, along with support from others across Vancouver Island.
Tree fallers, structure protection teams and other personnel are assisting firefighters in their efforts.
Helicopters, land-based air tankers and water skimmers are supporting from the air.
Dahl said there was limited fire growth overnight from Sunday into Monday, thanks in part to cooler weather as well as 24-hour action on the fire.
“Ground crews and structure defence teams continue to action any areas of heat and monitor the fire throughout the wildland urban interface areas. Night vision-equipped helicopters worked overnight last night, dropping water on active areas of the wildfire along the perimeter, cooling hot spots.”
Flames are close to several properties, but no structures have been reported as being lost yet. (BC Wildfire Service)As of noon on Monday, no structures had been reported as lost in the area, despite the mapped fire boundaries encroaching into the Little Qualicum River Falls neighbourhood.
Dahl said the boundary is an estimate in many cases and representative of the total fire area, not necessarily the fire’s front line.
“There are spot fires within the community, and they are being quickly and efficiently actioned by crews on the ground. Structure protection and those crews are there overnight, and they are able to quickly suppress any areas that may appear or flare up. So, the wildfire perimeter is within the community, but that does not mean that it is raging or on fire.”
Evacuation orders remain in place for 387 residences in the region, including the Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, campground and day use area.
A further 235 residences are under evacuation alert.
Christine Crabtree, emergency operations centre director with the Regional District of Nanaimo, said Monday 411 evacuees have registered to receive support through the RDN and the provincial government.
While many have found accommodations with friends or family, some are staying at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, which has capacity for around 200 people as a reception area but less as an emergency shelter.
“We have had great success with people registering with the at the centres remotely, over 50 per cent, so that’s been fantastic. We have confidence in the capacity to accommodate at this time, however, we are making plans to expand additional accommodations at an alternate location, should it be needed.”
Cameron Lake remains completely closed, while the Horne Lake boat launch has also been shut down.
Anyone in the area is asked to stay completely off Cameron Lake, and stay well clear of firefighting operations on Horne Lake and Spider Lake to avoid any potential conflicts.
The Regional District of Nanaimo said they do not expect any impacts to travel along Hwy. 4 as a result of the fire, however the provincial government has placed traffic control at both ends of the corridor to adjust traffic flows on short notice if needed.
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