A wildfire burning roughly 10 kilometres east of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island has led to the shutdown of Highway 4.
The Cameron Bluffs wildfire is currently burning out of control and is an estimated 140 hectares.
The shutdown of Highway 4 concerns officials, as it is the only major route connecting Port Alberni with the rest of Vancouver Island, outside of logging roads.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, the closure is now expected to last beyond the fire itself, due to damage to the road and instability of the slope above the highway.
Port Alberni’s mayor, Sharie Minions, said the region is extremely dependent on Highway 4 and the closure will be challenging.
“Quite a significant amount of people rely on travelling that road daily. It is a very important highway for us,” said Sharie Minions, Port Alberni mayor.
“Certainly, if (the road closure is) longer than a half day, it (puts) a lot of pressure on our community.”
Minion said supplies, goods, and food all come to the community from the highway route. Luckily, she said the community is prepared for a short-term closure.
“This is a situation, a risk, that we have been talking about for many years. Knowing we only really have one road in and one road out, we know this is a risk,”
“We are fortunate right now it is only a transportation risk, not a community risk.”
Doug Smith, owner of Port Alberni Marine Fuels and Services, told Global News he had implemented voluntary diesel rationing for recreational boat customers because fuel trucks can’t get into the community.
“Most people are understanding of the issue,” he said.
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“We are still letting our commercial customers get more than 100 litres, but we are certainly asking them to take just what they need to do the job versus filling the boat.”
Smith said there’s currently a commercial prawn fishery on, with at least seven boats involved. Next week, a sockeye gillnet fishery opens that he estimates would draw 100 boats.
If he’s not able to restock his pumps, he could be forced to eventually shutter the business.
“We’re hoping it doesn’t come to that, it’s the wrong time of year for that to happen,” he said.
A detour route is now available by way of industrial forest service roads, but only essential travel is recommended.
“That alternate route should only be used for what is absolutely essential travel, it is not ideal, it is gravel, it adds four hours to the commute, there are no washroom facilities, no gas stations, difficult terrain, tight and windy in certain areas,” Transportation Minister Rob Fleming told Global News.
“It’s there as a lifeline for the community and for people who have to travel for essential purposes, but we are by no means encouraging people to use it unless absolutely necessary.”
He said there was no timeline to reopen Highway 4.
The Ministry of Transportation is warning all drivers on the alternate route:
- Drivers are reminded to obey all signage and traffic-control personnel as crews respond to the changing situation
- Expect that any detour will take about 4 hours with potentially slow moving traffic and no passing
- Could involve rough gravel patches
- No cell phone network coverage
- No amenities for fuel, food, washrooms, and limited access for emergency services
- the next few days will be hot and dusty – be prepared for a difficult drive
A map of the detour route can be seen online on DriveBC’s Twitter page.
Highway 4 is also vital for other Vancouver Island communities for travel through Port Alberni such as Tofino and Ucluelet.
Multiple crews of firefighters, two helicopters and floatplanes have been dispensed to extinguish the fire.
The ACRD has set up an emergency reception at Echo Centre in Port Alberni, 4255 Wallace St., which is open to people who are stranded and need somewhere to go until the road reopens.
Anyone stranded in Port Alberni overnight is being encouraged to reach out to friends and family for a place to stay, as hotel availability is low.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Cameron Bluffs fire is suspected to be human-caused.
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