Vancouver/CMEDIA: A wildfire on Vancouver Island reportedly continues to burn out of control, growing to 494 hectares as of Monday morning.
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said that the Wesley Ridge fire discovered Thursday is burning on the north banks of Cameron Lake, about 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo, B.C. adding that “challenging fire behaviour” was observed Sunday.
An evacuation order, and evacuation alert are in effect for mostly residential properties in the area requiring residents to leave immediately.
The Wesley Ridge fire is being managed by 67 BCWS personnel along with seven helicopters.
According to the latest update from the wildfire service there are a number of other fire departments from across Vancouver Island which are battling the blaze, and helping with structure defence.
With limited visibility in the area due to the smoky conditions, the service said it will update the size of the fire as conditions permit.
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.”
The Wesley Ridge fire is suspected to be human-caused.
There are 137 active wildfires burning across the province, according to the BCWS.
Poor visibility due to heavy smoke and the likelihood of the perimeter map to change as it clears, BCWS information officer Madison Dahl noted.
There are currently 142 personnel working on the fire, including 65 firefighters, two fallers and about 75 structure protection specialists being helped with seven pieces of heavy equipment and seven helicopters, two with night vision, she said at a news conference Sunday.
“However, there’s a lot of risk that goes along with wildfire. Wildfires can spot into areas, and so structure protection is necessary, regardless of where the actual flame front is,” she said.
People are being reminded by BCWS to stay off of Cameron Lake, and nearby Horne and Spider lakes so aircraft can collect water.
“We’re urging the public to use common sense. Please keep boats away from areas where tankers and aircraft are operating. If there are aircraft in your area, boaters are required to dock immediately,” Dahl said. “Aircraft require quite a bit of space for approach, filling and departures, and if there is interference, the mission will have to be aborted.”
Douglas Holmes, the Emergency Operations Centre director reminded evacuees to register online at ess.gov.bc.ca or in-person at the reception centre.
