Rain, Cooler Temps Aid in Containing Vancouver Island Wildfire Near Cathedral Grove

Cooler weather and light rain brought welcome relief to firefighters battling the out-of-control Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island, as crews reported progress in containing the 538-hectare blaze.

The wildfire — burning near Cameron Lake, west of Qualicum Beach — has forced nearly 390 homes in the Regional District of Nanaimo to evacuate, with an additional 250 properties under evacuation alert. Those residents must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

Thanks to improved weather conditions, including light rainfall and elevated humidity, the B.C. Wildfire Service said crews were able to strengthen fireguards and expand containment lines on Tuesday. Specialized night-vision helicopters were also deployed overnight to monitor and manage the fire's perimeter.

“The fire has mostly exhibited low-vigour surface behaviour,” said officials, noting that while the blaze is generally smouldering at ground level, some pockets are still burning at higher intensity.

Highway Corridor and Community Concerns

Containment efforts are particularly focused on keeping the fire from reaching nearby homes and the critical Highway 4 corridor — the island’s only paved route between the east and west coasts.

With the fire still active in steep terrain, some locals have voiced concern that it could spread toward Cathedral Grove, the ancient forest within MacMillan Provincial Park known for its 800-year-old Douglas firs. However, the B.C. Wildfire Service has reassured the public that Cathedral Grove is not currently under threat.

Province-Wide Fire Activity

The Wesley Ridge wildfire is one of approximately 130 active fires burning across British Columbia as of Wednesday morning, many of them sparked by a recent surge of lightning strikes across the province amid hot and dry conditions.

While crews continue to battle hotspots on the ground and from the air, fire officials are hopeful that ongoing cool, damp weather will aid in further containment.

For the latest updates on evacuation alerts, road closures, and wildfire activity, residents are encouraged to monitor B.C. Wildfire Service advisories and DriveBC alerts.