EARLIER — PARKSVILLE — As wildfire crews focus on saving homes near a growing wildfire, others are imploring the public to keep the area clear.
The Wesley Ridge wildfire grew overnight to 245 hectares in size, and has since expanded to 389 hectares by Saturday afternoon. It continues burning predominantly in a northeasterly path towards homes and other infrastructure in the rural Oceanside area.
Coastal Fire Centre information officer Christi Howes said during a briefing on Saturday, Aug. 2, the main focus for firefighters on the ground and in the air is preventing flames from getting any closer to homes.
“The primary focus is that area and that corner, the northeast corner, that has been trending towards the Little Qualicum River estates area, that is a primary priority. We haven’t seen a lot of growth and aren’t very concerned about anything to the west.”
Over 75 firefighters and other resources are on site again on Saturday, including five helicopters, tankers and skimmers working from the air.
Heavy equipment and structural protection teams are also on site, as are local volunteer fire departments focused on areas where flames could threaten homes.
Overnight, fresh crews continued to work the scene including a helicopter specially equipped with night vision.
“They are working over the night. In a 24-hour shift there’s a day shift and a night shift, so BCWS (BC Wildfire Service) is having people on there around the clock,” Howes added. “We’re throwing a surge of resources throughout the evening and the day as well so there is a very strong presence there.”
A problem emerging, aside from growing flames, are people stopping along Hwy. 4, on the opposite side of the lake and the fire, to watch firefighting operations.
“What’s happening is there’s a lot of congestion, people are stopping and taking pictures but it’s an active highway, so that has been a challenge,” Howes said. “There’s a risk and a safety issue there, so there’s been RCMP traffic controllers…we’re just encouraging people to keep moving when you’re moving through.”
Douglas Holmes, chief administrative officer of the Regional District of Nanaimo, echoed those calls.
He said 191 homes are presently under evacuation order as of noon on Saturday, Aug. 2, while another 283 are on evacuation alert and must be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice.
An update to date list of evacuation orders and alerts is available on the RDN website.
Holmes added Hwy. 4 is a functioning, critical highway and needs to be kept as clear and safe as possible.
“Anything to exacerbate the flow of traffic through there will not be helpful. One of the areas on alert are two parts of the provincial campground and should [we have to] change that alert to an order, then we would have quite a few people who are guests of that campground trying to move themselves out of that area along Hwy. 4.”
Around 25 residents have left their homes, in favour of an emergency response centre at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre.
Holmes said the building has a capacity of about 200 people as a reception centre, but overnight lodging would push the capacity down.
“We’re putting in place plans should we have to increase that capacity…if we have to think of numbers larger than the capacity of that centre, we’re thinking of secondary and tertiary sites as well.”
He added all boaters and swimmers should stay away from Cameron Lake for the time being, while those on Horne and Spider Lakes should stick very close to shore.
Both areas are being used as water supplies for helicopters and other aerial firefighting efforts.
BC Wildfire Service has confirmed damage to some equipment on Friday night, with workers and staff in the area having to conduct a tactical withdrawal as a result.
No injuries were reported.
At least one railway trestle has been lost to the fire.
Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.
info@nanaimonewsnow.com
Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook