A view of the Cameron Bluffs fire from Hwy. 4. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Ian Holmes

fire update

‘We’re not seeing lot of open flames;’ progress continues against Cameron Bluffs fire

Jun 16, 2023 | 2:53 PM

NANAIMO — Crews are getting the upper hand on a wildfire churning through high-terrain timber above Cameron Lake west of Whiskey Creek.

Downgraded from an out-of-control fire to one that is considered held as of earlier this week, the Coastal Fire Centre’s Shaelee Stearns said crews are getting additional control over the 229-hectare fire.

“The activity that we’re seeing now is more along the lines of a smouldering ground fire, we’re not seeing a lot of open flames in the fire perimeter at all,” Stearns told NanaimoNewsNOW.

She said it’s believed the fire will not burn beyond its current perimeter, adding they are pleased with how the fire behaviour did not increase early this week following helpful rainfall last weekend.

Stearns said reinforcing perimeter control lines, as well as patrolling and dousing hot spots are among the priorities for the time being.

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Another key task of BC Wildfire Service crews is assessing and falling danger trees.

Stearns said progress is being made on that front as well.

“The assessment and the falling is completed on the north side of the fire along the Highway 4 corridor, but they’ll still assess throughout other portions of the fire.”

Helicopters have helped reached hard to access areas in steep terrain of the Cameron Bluffs wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

More than 100 firefighters and three helicopters are currently assigned to the Cameron Bluffs fire.

Slope stability above Hwy. 4 at Cameron Lake is a priority for ministry of transportation and infrastructure (MOTI) crews and their contractors.

Numerous trees have fallen on the impacted portion of the highway, which has been closed since June 6.

A temporary load-bearing wall will be built in the eastbound lane of Hwy. 4 as a safeguard against potential falling debris.

Protective mesh will also be installed, MOTI revealed this week.

MOTI anticipates a phased re-opening of Hwy. 4 at Cameron Lake will take place during the June 24/25 weekend.

A logging road detour route linking Port Alberni and Lake Cowichan remains in effect.

The human-caused fire was first spotted late on the evening of June 3.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes