A wildfire on Vancouver Island continues to burn out of control, growing to 511 hectares Monday.
The Wesley Ridge fire was discovered Thursday, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS). It is burning on the north banks of Cameron Lake, about 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo, B.C.
There was “limited growth” overnight, BCWS fire information officer Madison Dahl said at a press conference Monday.
An evacuation order is still in effect for 387 residences in the area. The order requires residents to leave immediately.
Another 235 properties are under evacuation alert, meaning residents need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Christina Crabtree, emergency operations centre director for the Regional District of Nanaimo, said at the press conference that the district is not aware of any structure losses.
There are 164 personnel responding to the fire, including ground firefighters and more than 80 structure protection specialists and teams, along with eight helicopters, according to Dahl. Multiple fire departments, including those from Dashwood and Coombs, are also responding.
The service noted visibility in the area is limited due to the smokey conditions and said it will update the size of the fire as conditions permit.
Highway 4 remains open, but the B.C. Ministry of Transportation has warned travellers between Parksville and Port Alberni to be mindful of “potential sudden changes” that could cause delays.
Traffic personnel are in place to respond “if a change or interruption to the flow of traffic on the highway is needed by the B.C. Wildfire Service as it battles the Wesley Creek blaze.”
For the most up-to-date information, visit DriveBC’s website.
The Wesley Ridge fire is suspected to be human-caused, which is how any wildfire not sparked by lightning is categorized.
There are 138 active wildfires burning across the province, according to the BCWS.
The fire has seen community members step up to help others.
Joanne Trofanenko, a Courtenay, B.C., resident who owns a property in the evacuated area, put out a call in a Comox Valley Facebook group, offering to connect evacuees to a variety of services including shelter, transportation, and livestock or pet boarding.
“It was a way for me to help and to connect people with resources that they might need,” she said.
Evacuation orders, alerts issued for over 600 properties on Vancouver Island
Trofanenko said almost 200 people in the Comox Valley alone have stepped up to help, she said.
A retired paramedic, Trofanenko said her property has been a special place.
“That property was my refuge, that property was my safe space,” she said. “And I know for a lot of people that’s what that community is; it’s a piece of paradise.”
Ari Buttenham of Coombs, B.C., has been offering free towing help.
“We have trucks and equipment that we could offer assistance at no cost to community members to help save trailers, tiny homes and maybe help people save their assets.”
He said he wanted to make himself available to his community as soon as he saw the situation unfolding.
“I feel sad and I feel grateful at the same time, because we live in a community where everyone cares about everyone,” Buttenham said.
“Everyone’s just had the community’s back. It’s definitely an emotional time because so many people are at risk of losing things that they’ve worked hard for.”
