Flames and smoke were spotted by passersby on Thursday morning on the north side of Cameron Lake. (BC Wildfire Service)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

new wildfire

UPDATE: Cameron Lake wildfire grows, evacuation orders in place

Jul 31, 2025 | 7:28 AM

NANAIMO — An expanding wildfire above the north side of Cameron Lake has ballooned to an estimated 60 hectares as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon, tripling in size from the morning.

Evacuation orders are now in place for the Regional District of Nanaimo’s electoral area F in zone F1, located on the north side of Cameron Lake, including Karen’s Court and Chalet Rd. near Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, which has been closed as a precautionary measure.

The evacuation order was in effect as of 10:55 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, with the evacuee reception centre at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, located at 747 Jones Ave.

Residents in the impacted areas must evacuate. More information can be found here at EmergencyInfoBC. 

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Evacuation alert also issued:

In addition to the evacuation order, an evacuation alert applies to properties northeast of Cameron Lake: Klein Ridge Road, Tom’s Turnaround, Wallace Wood Way, Warn Way, Dars Place, Peligren Place, Lewis Lane, Country Road, Martini Way, Kim’s Crescent, Jay Bail Trail, Dunwurkin Way, Canuck Cres, Taylor Walk, Cameron Crescent, Abbey Road, Pady Place, Spirit Way, Lailah’s Loop, Wayat’s Way, Easy Way, Farrah’s Way, and 1600 & 1700 Meadowood Way. More information can be found here at the RDN website. 

The RDN has also closed the Arrowsmith CPR Regional Trail, also as a precautionary measure due to the wildfire.

Information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre Kimberly Kelly, said they are working with local fire departments and RCMP to support those evacuating as needed.

“Currently, the fire behaviour is ranked two with pockets of three. That is a low, vigorous, ground-surface fire with open flame visible. We are responding with approximately 40 firefighting resources today, including four helicopters and air tankers have been requested to support this fire.”

She said they are fortunate to have low winds at this time, with the forecast not predicting any significant shifts in wind speed or direction.

Kelly said warm, dry air can quickly increase the size and direction of a wildfire.

“We have fuels that are very, very susceptible to start, and when we see wind activity on active fire it has the potential to pick up sparks or ember material and move it forward in the direction of the wind to increase the size of the fire, sometimes rapidly.”

She said the area has steep terrain which makes it challenging for their firefighters, as helicopters and air tankers support them from the air.

While the cause of the blaze is not confirmed, it is suspected to be human-caused, which Kelly said is the case with the majority of wildfires so far this year.

“I can report that 95 per cent of wildfires in the 2025 fire season within the coastal fire centre are suspected to be human-caused. We are moving into our lightning season. Traditionally, we see more lighting activity in August.”

Known as the Wesley Ridge wildfire, flames were spotted just after 12 a.m. on Thursday, July 31 along the northern shoreline and bank of the lake, midway between Parksville and Port Alberni.

Latest assessments from the Coastal Fire Centre indicate the fire is around 40 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control.

“Fire is burning aggressively and is in difficult to access terrain,” an update from the BC Wildfire Service said. “Travellers on highway 4 please be mindful, crews and aircraft are working in the area, proceed with caution and stay focused on the road and don’t stop the flow of traffic.”

A helicopter with a bucket attachment was seen leaving Nanaimo Airport early Thursday morning. (submitted photo)

Firefighters from both the Coombs and Dashwood volunteer departments are also on scene.

It’s believed to be human-caused.

As of Thursday morning, it was the only fire burning out of control on Vancouver Island, with five other locations listed as either being held or under control.

This includes a pair of fires along the Nanaimo River.

At this stage, there are not expected to be substantial traffic impacts for travellers along Hwy. 4, as the fire is burning on the opposite side of the lake to the highway.

A fire along the Cameron Bluffs, above the highway, in June 2023 resulted in Hwy. 4 being closed either partially or completely for months and a detour being established through Lake Cowichan to allow access to Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet.

The situation resulted in roughly $15 million in economic losses for Port Alberni alone, with more also suffered on the Island’s west coast.

BC Wildfire Service is attacking a wildfire on the north side of Cameron Lake. (BC Wildfire Service)

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