Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island grows to more than 5 square kilometres

The BC Wildfire Service says the Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island has grown to more than 5 square kilometres as "numerous" fire departments on the island converge on the blaze to protect properties and structures around Cameron Lake. 

Fire information officer Madison Dahl says the fire is now considered a wildfire of note, but growth was limited overnight as helicopters equipped with night vision dropped water on hot spots and around the fire's perimeter. 

Dahl says crews are focused on keeping the fire from growing and affecting travel on Highway 4 to maintain "safe travel along the highway." 

She says the fire's southern edge around the lake is burning in "very tough and challenging terrain" with lots of fuel for the wildfire, and crews are focused on protecting properties and structures around Cameron Lake. 

 Dahl says there's a small amount of rain expected mid-week, but dry conditions along the B.C. coast and on Vancouver Island continue, and it would take a lot of precipitation to tame the fire's behaviour.

Christina Crabtree, the director of Nanaimo's emergency operations centre, says there are 387 residences on evacuation order and 235 more on alert, and more than 400 evacuees have received emergency supports so far. 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito