Evacuation Order Issued as Wildfire Near Cameron Lake Grows on Vancouver Island; Highway 4 Still Open

A fast-growing wildfire near Cameron Lake on Vancouver Island has prompted evacuation orders and alerts for nearby areas, raising concern over potential disruptions to Highway 4 — the island’s key east-west route — just a year after a major fire in the same area cut off access for weeks.

The Wesley Ridge wildfire was discovered shortly after midnight Thursday and has since grown to approximately 0.6 square kilometres, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. Burning in steep, rugged terrain on the lake’s north side, the blaze is classified as a Rank 2 to Rank 3 fire — an active ground fire with visible open flames.

The Regional District of Nanaimo declared a local state of emergency and issued an evacuation order for properties along the north shore of Cameron Lake, including Chalet Road and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. An evacuation alert has also been issued for nearly 300 properties in Little Qualicum River Village near Qualicum Beach.

“Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible before evacuation is ordered,” the district said. “However, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.”

Roughly 40 wildfire personnel are battling the fire with support from local fire departments, four helicopters, and air tankers. Kimberly Kelly of the Coastal Fire Centre says the difficult terrain is slowing progress.

Highway 4 remains open, but officials are urging caution. The wildfire is burning on the opposite side of the lake from the highway, though smoke and emergency activity are affecting visibility and traffic conditions.

“Travellers on Highway 4, please be mindful,” the B.C. Wildfire Service said in a statement. “Crews and aircraft are working in the area. Stay focused and keep traffic flowing.”

DriveBC echoed the warning, urging drivers to watch for emergency vehicles and not to stop along the highway.

In response to the fire, B.C. Parks has closed day-use areas at Cameron Lake and Beaufort along the highway corridor. The campground at Little Qualicum Falls remains open for now.

The cause of the wildfire is suspected to be human-related — a category that includes any ignition source not caused by lightning.

The situation is especially tense given the area's history. In June 2023, a wildfire on the south side of Cameron Lake forced a three-week closure of Highway 4, severing access to Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, and several Nuu-Chah-Nulth communities. That closure was estimated to have cost the region over $60 million in lost tourism and business revenue.

While Highway 4 is currently unaffected, the memory of last year’s shutdown is adding urgency to efforts to contain the fire before it spreads further.