The B.C. Wildfire Service reports that the Wesley Ridge wildfire has grown to 0.4 square kilometres and is burning across from Highway 4 on the far side of Cameron Lake. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
A fast-growing wildfire on Vancouver Island near Cameron Lake has forced emergency officials to act quickly. The fire, spotted just after midnight on Thursday, has already grown to about 0.4 square kilometres and is burning through steep and hard-to-reach forest land.
The fire, named the Wesley Ridge wildfire, started on the north side of Cameron Lake. Officials believe people, not lightning, may have caused it.
Evacuation Orders and Alerts Issued
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has declared a local emergency. They ordered immediate evacuations for the north shore of Cameron Lake, including Chalet Road and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park.
An evacuation alert also affects nearly 300 homes in the Meadowood area near Qualicum Beach. This alert means residents must stay ready to leave quickly if the situation gets worse.
The RDN said they will try to give as much warning as possible. But they also warned that changing fire conditions might limit advance notice.
Firefighting Efforts Underway
The wildfire is burning at a Rank 2 and Rank 3 intensity. That means the fire is spreading across the ground with visible flames. Kimberly Kelly, a spokesperson for the Coastal Fire Centre, explained the fire is active, though not extremely intense.
About 40 firefighters are battling the flames on the ground. Crews from the Coombs and Dashwood fire departments are helping. Four helicopters are also being used to slow the fire’s spread. Officials have also asked for air tankers to support the effort from above.
Highway 4 Remains Open but Drivers Must Be Cautious
The fire is on the opposite side of Cameron Lake from Highway 4. That road is still open, but officials are warning drivers to be very careful. Aircraft and fire crews are working nearby, and smoke may make it hard to see.
The wildfire service asked drivers not to stop or slow down traffic. Drivers should keep their eyes on the road and avoid distractions. DriveBC repeated these warnings and reminded people to watch for emergency workers and smoky conditions.
Parks and Day-Use Areas Closed
To help fire crews work safely, officials have closed some nearby parks and day-use areas. Cameron Lake and Beaufort areas along Highway 4 are closed. However, the campground at Little Qualicum Falls is still open for now.
Why This Area Matters
This same region faced a major fire just last year. In June 2023, a wildfire on the south side of Cameron Lake shut down Highway 4 for nearly three weeks.
That highway is the only paved road connecting Port Alberni and the west coast towns of Tofino and Ucluelet. Over 18,000 people depend on that road. When it closed in 2023, the area lost about $61 million in tourism revenue.
Leaders from the region say another closure could be devastating again. They continue to ask the province to build an alternate route to help during emergencies.
