Friday August 8, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 12:05 pm | Updated August 10, 2025]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Traffic flow on Hwy 4 may be interrupted based on BC Wildfire Service needs.
Also see: August 9 Wesley Ridge Wildfire update
The Wesley Ridge wildfire (V71145) that started July 31 near Nanaimo is now 571 hectares in size (up from 538 on August 6, previously 511 on August 5, 389 hectares on August 4, and 245 hectares on Sunday August 2).
The wildfire is still out of control, said BC Wildfire Service today but containment will now be attempted on the northern edge of the fire as most structural protection (of houses) has been achieved.
The area has steep back country terrain.
Fuel (leaves, ground debris) is being removed from the free-running northern edge and established guard. The perimeter will be brought to that guard. That will produce visible smoke all the northern perimeter today, said BC Wildfire Service information office Madison Dahl.
Water will be delivered to support the fire line work.
On the northern edge, crews have created a fuel-free line where the ground is inaccessible to heavy equipment.
The wildfire is considered to have been ‘human caused’ (i.e. not by lightning).
Getting people back to their homes:
The highest priority is to get any evacuated people back to their homes as soon as possible, officials said today.
Fire behaviour will increase this weekend with higher temperatures and a continued dry spell.
There will be another update on Saturday August 9.
Fire of note:
The fire was designed a ‘wildfire of note’ several days ago, and continues as such today.
That’s a designation which highlights a fire that may be impacting multiple people in the area.
The ‘fire of note’ designation doesn’t provide more resources to the fire but makes it easier for people to find information.
The Zoom call media session was hosted today by fire information officer Madison Dahl along with ESS information delivered by Douglas Holmes of the Nanaimo Regional District.
More information:
- Regional District of Nanaimo Current Alerts: rdn.bc.ca/current-alerts
- Emergency Operations Call Centre: 250-390-6538 (8 am to 8 pm)
- For re-entry information for evacuees, go to: rdn.bc.ca/wesleyridgewildfire
- BC Govt – Evacuee Registration and Assistance – 1-800-387-4258 Emergency Support Services | ess.gov.bc.ca
- To report a wildfire call: 1-800-663-5555 or *555 on a cellphone (download the app to send a photo with your report)
Smoke:
Visibility is limited at this time due to wildfire smoke.
Dahl said yesterday that the south edge of the wildfire along Cameron Lake is burning in “inaccessible and challenging terrain with large amounts of accessible timber”. As such, it is going to continue to produce smoke as the fire consumes fuels along the slope.
“Smoke will continue to be visible when the wildfire smoke and winds align,” said Dahl.
Fire location and size:
The fire is situated between Nanaimo and Port Alberni on central Vancouver Island. The communities of Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Dashwood are nearby.
Updates were provided about on-the-ground actions, evacuation alerts, orders and the reception centre for those affected.
Highway 4:
Highway 4 (which services traffic flow to and from Uculet, Port Alberni and Tofino) is open but drivers are asked to keep moving — do not stop, drive to conditions. Traffic conditions for Highway 4 and Highway 19 are available on DriveBC, including any closures and delays. Crews may be working alongside the highway so drivers are to proceed with caution.
Traffic control personnel will be on Hwy 4 at the Port Alberni Summit for eastbound traffic and Chatsworth Rd for westbound traffic. Traffic flow may be interrupted based on BC Wildfire Service needs, says Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
24/7 action on this fire:
There are now 207 personnel (up from 185 two days ago, 164 Tuesday and 142 on Monday August 4) dealing with this wildfire, as reported today by BC Wildfire Services.
The team includes firefighters, fallers, and structural protection specialists.
There are now 17 pieces of heavy equipment on the job (up from 11 two days ago) and still nine helicopters (as in days before). Night vision helicopters work overnight.
Water & ground safety:
Large scale water delivery systems are being established. Heavy equipment is working to establish control lines on workable ground.
A key goal is to create a safe working environment for ground crews.
Cameron Lake, Horne Lake and Spider Lake are being used by aircraft for water delivery. The Horne Lake boat launch is closed; people in the water there (and Spider Lake) should stay within 100 metres of shore.
“Stay clear of any aircraft there or on adjacent lakes,” says BC Wildfire Services, as any other lakes could also be used in the response effort.
Common sense on the lakes:
The aircraft “need plenty of room to maneouvre to do their job safely”, said Dahl in one of the recent daily updates, including for approach, filling and departure.
“Use common sense. Keep boats away from where tankers and aircraft are operating.” Boaters are to dock immediately if they see aircraft in the area. Interference to the aircraft means a mission would be cancelled for safety regions.
Drones are not allowed in these active areas.
There has been damage to three train tressels in the area, said Madison Dahl, Wildfire Information Officer today.
Evacuation orders and alerts:
There are now 294 residences on evacuation order (an increase over yesterday); 93 people have been removed from order two days ago.
Now 253 people are on evacuation alert.
Homes taken off of order remain on alert, said Doug Holmes of Nanaimo Region Operations today.
Visit the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre or ESS online:
People who have been evacuated should register at ess.gov.bc.ca or at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre at 747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach (tel: 250-752-1992) which is presently open 24/7.
Currently there are 509 evacuees have received ESS supports online or in person, said Holmes today (from 411 yesterday and 236 the day before.
The use of this lodging is for people who don’t have other options (stay with family or friends, or contact your insurer to see what other options are available), says the Nanaimo Region Operations director.
A pet trailer has been set up at the evacuation centre, with personnel to help take care of animals.
Please no donations at this time:
The good intentions of people who wish to donate food, clothing or other items is appreciated. But there is no space or people to handle and manage donations of goods at the evacuation centre.
So please don’t bring any donated items to the reception centre, said the Nanaimo Operations officer today(and on other days this week).
Weather impacts:
Today’s high is expected to reach 24°C with an relative humidity of 40% (down from 50% earlier in the week). Temperatures are forecast to increase through this weekend. Expect fire behaviour to increase, including more smoke.
Today will be mainly sunny, with winds expected to be “light and variable throughout the day”.
There was some light rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 6 and 7. That’s still not enough. It will take substantial rainfall to make any difference in the action of this fire, according to BC Wildfire Service.
This is a period of drought on Vancouver Island; July was one of the driest on record.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | VANCOUVER ISLAND | WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT | FORESTRY