Hwy. 4 remains closed either side of Cameron Lake due to wildfire activity and fallen debris on the roadway. (Ministry of Transportation)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

wildfire activity

Fallen trees and rocks forcing closure of Hwy. 4 near Cameron Lake

Jun 7, 2023 | 9:28 AM

NANAIMO — It’s expected to be a while before regular travel will resume along Hwy. 4 between Oceanside and Port Alberni.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure was forced to close the roadway around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6 due to a considerable amount of debris falling onto the road.

“The persisting closure is a result of the fire burning through the Cameron Lake area,” Daniel Hutchins, general manager of Mainroad Contracting, told NanaimoNewsNOW via email. “While the fire itself, currently, does not warrant a road closure; the burned out area has caused localized issues of rocks and trees falling onto the road from the cliffs above.”

Hutchins said more information is expected from the ministry of transportation Wednesday.

NanaimoNewsNOW has contacted the ministry and asked for a statement on the highway’s condition and any possible alternate routes.

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Hutchins added they are “expecting a minimum of at least several days for the area to stabilize and Ministry geotechnical engineers to assess the area for further risk.”

Several closures of Hwy. 4 occurred Tuesday, beginning around 10 a.m.

An initial 45 minute shutdown is believed to be wildfire related, however intermittent closures occurred through the midday hours with single lane alternating traffic available when the highway re-opened.

The prolonged, overnight closure however stranded several on either side of Cameron Lake.

Daniel Sailland, emergency operations centre director with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District said a large number of stranded travellers sought shelter overnight at a facility they had setup.

He said they were expecting around 20 people at the Echo Centre.

“Between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. that 20 turned into 130. The element we don’t know is how many people we’re supporting and I think it was a bit of a surprise when the numbers started rolling in toward the end of the night.”

Hotel rooms in Port Alberni and Oceanside quickly sold out, while people on social media were offering spare bedrooms or RV’s for those stranded to stay.

Several tour groups, including from schools in Nanaimo, were also caught by the closure and forced to stay in the Alberni District Secondary School gym overnight.

Sailland said they’re expecting part of the ministry’s announcement Wednesday to be establishment of a temporary detour.

“We were notified from Ministry of Transportation that they are working on establishing a safe, alternative route and they hope to see that open [Wednesday]. They don’t know whether or not the main Hwy. 4 will be open [Wednesday] and that’s why they’re looking at the alternative.”

Drive BC is scheduled to deliver an update on Hwy. 4 at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Coastal Fire Centre is reporting the Cameron Bluffs wildfire is currently estimated to be 140 hectares in size.

information Officer Jeanie Larson said they have 50 firefighters on the ground who are supported by five helicopters, water bombers and skimmers.

Crews continue to action the fire Wednesday from the ground and air. It is still burning out of control and considered a wildfire of note by the BC Wildfire Service.

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