Saturday August 9, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Traffic flow on Hwy 4 may be interrupted based on BC Wildfire Service needs
Wildfire size on August 10 is much the same at 590 hectares. (Report on the August 10 still to come).
The Wesley Ridge wildfire (V71145) that started July 31 near Nanaimo is still considered out of control.
But this fire that has caught national attention for its ‘out of control’ duration, is now holding at 580 hectares in size (up from 571 hectares yesterday, 538 on August 6, previously 511 on August 5, 389 hectares on August 4, and 245 hectares on Sunday August 2).
The shape of the fire changes as there are changes to the perimeter.
Personnel and equipment:
Today’s WEsley Ridge wildfire update (day 10) was delivered by Madison Dahl, Information officer, BC Wildfire Service along with Lisa Grant EOC director of Nanaimo Regional District Operations.
- There are 187 firefighters at the scene today.
- There are 14 pieces of heavy equip and nine helicopters working today.
- Structure protection is underway by 17 dedicated structure protection personnel among 49 personnel overall.
- Twenty-twp structural fire departments have engaged on this fire alongside BC Wildfire.
Overnight work:
Fire activity was minimal last night. Helicopters identified areas for water-drops in the evening and overnight last night.
Smouldering ground fires with no open flames continue to be discovered.
Smoke:
More smoke will happen from this fire, including further into the summer.
Most of the smoke is from within the permieter of the fire, as well as along the northern perimeter guard.
Smoke clears and vents upwards at the day’s temperature gets hotter.
It will be hot and dry over the next few days. The temperature today is expected to reach a high of 26°C with relatively humidity of 40 to 45. Winds are north and northwest at 10-15 kph, with gusts up to 30 kph (which is stronger than gusts in previous days).
Vancouver Island drought:
Vancouver Island continues in a condition of significant drought. A significant amount of precipitation will be needed to make a difference to this fire and likely any others.
Structure protection:
Little Qualicum Beach and the north side of Cameron Lake is where structure fire protection continues.
Evacuation and alerts:
Reported today, as of August 6 there were 294 addresses on evacuation order, 353 addresses on evacuation alert.
The vast majority of properties and homes include parks, storage units, fire halls, hydro utility sites, office cell tower, commercial and gravel pit areas, said Grant.
Residents on evacuation order in Little Qualicum River Village below Warren Way, to return to their homes by August 11.
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)
Household support:
- As of Aug 8 at 4 pm, 226 households are currently receiving supports (evacuation hotline, reception centre and self serve).
- 505 evacuees are currently receiving ESS supports (evacuation hotline, reception centre, and self serve)
315 households have received ESS support at some point during this event, while 695 evacuees have received support directly during this event at some point.
Some ESS services have been extended to some people under evacuation order until Monday Aug 11 and will be reviewed depending on the situation. To extend ESS support call the ESS hotline at 1-800-387-4258 or ess.gov.bc.ca or visit the reception centre at 747 Jones Street (9 am to 4 pm).
Pets:
The BC SPCA is available for longer term accommodation for pets.
Parks closed:
Parks that are currently closed include Little Qualicum River, Arrowsmith CPR trail, and Meadow Wood Park.
See previous reports:
Much of the rest of today’s report had similar background information as previous day’s reports.
AUG 8 | AUG 7 | Aug 6 | AUG 5 | AUG 4 | AUG 3 | JULY 31
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | VANCOUVER ISLAND | WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT | FORESTRY