The Regional District of Nanaimo has issued a state of emergency and an evacuation order for properties on the north side of Cameron Lake due to a new wildfire.
The evacuation order, which took effect just before 11 a.m., covers the north side of the lake, including Chalet Road.
The Day Use areas of Cameron Lake and Beaufort along the Highway 4 corridor are closed to support BC Wildfire operations, but the campground at Little Qualicum Falls remains open, albeit under an evacuation alert. and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park.
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The Wesley Ridge fire was discovered just before midnight on Wednesday and is currently 60 hectares in size. THe fire is burning in a steep, densely forested hillside making for difficult firefighting conditions.
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Fortunately for the communities of Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet, the fire is burning on the opposite side of the lake from Highway 4.
BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Kimberly Kelly said the fire was showing Rank 2 and Rank 3 behaviour, meaning “a low, vigorous ground-surface fire with open flame visible.”
The wildfire service has 40 personnel on the ground, along with crews from Coombs and Dashwood, backed by helicopters, and has requested air tankers.
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