Officials say out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island will cause more smoke

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VICTORIA — An out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island has grown “minimally” in size, but is expected to generate more smoke.

Madison Dahl, fire information officer with the BC Wildfire Service, said in a media update Saturday that the Wesley Ridge fire near Cameron Lake has grown “minimally” to 5.8 square kilometres from 5.71 square kilometres Friday morning, with the growth limited to steep backcountry.

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But as temperatures continue to rise through the weekend, residents can expect to see more smoke in the area, Dahl said, adding that the current hot and dry conditions are expected to persist over the next few days.

“We anticipate smoke in the forecast, as the fire behaviour increases with heat, and consumes the available fuels,” she said.

Dahl said 197 firefighters and firefighting personnel, 14 pieces of equipment and nine helicopters were responding to the fire on Aug. 9.

BCWS said the fire was first discovered on July 31, and its suspected cause is human.

“Wildfires, by their nature, are dynamic,” Dahl said, adding that this fire is burning in different types of terrain. “Some parts are inaccessible for heavy equipment — that is where we utilize groundcrews, and we depend on helicopter access.” Other parts are burning along the lakeshore, she added.

“We have a number of groundcrews, and their focus shifts as the wildfire shifts,” she said. “As we move away from the dedicated structure protection, it shifts into firefighting more in the wilderness.”

Dahl said crews continue to patrol and fully extinguish remaining areas near homes and infrastructure in the Little Qualicum River Village and the northside of Cameron Lake.

“The Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department and the BCWS crews remain active within residentials areas, patrolling and mopping up in areas, where the fire encroached into the community,” Dahl said.

While there are so far no reports of damaged homes and buildings, the fire has destroyed two decommissioned railway trestles, while damaging a third.

Lisa Grant, emergency operations centre director with the Regional District of Nanaimo, said 294 households remain subject to evacuation orders, with 353 households remaining on evacuation alert.

Grant said authorities are “working hard” to allow residents on evacuation order in Little Qualicum River Village, below Warn Way, to return to their homes by Aug. 11.

Grant said more information will be forthcoming, but adds that conditions can change quickly as authorities continue to monitor the situation.