Flames lit up the night sky around Cameron Lake on Thursday, July 31 after a wildfire broke out on the northern shores in the early morning hours. (Joshua Dahling)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

out of control

Wildfire above Cameron Lake grows overnight, evacuation orders & alerts remain

Aug 1, 2025 | 7:53 AM

UPDATE: As of 12:55 p.m., the wildfire above Cameron Lake, known as the Wesley Ridge wildfire, is now 125 hectares in size.

Residents and anyone near Horne Lake to the northwest of the wildfire are being asked to stay within 100 metres of the shore, as helicopters are using the lake to fill their water buckets.

EARLIER: PARKSVILLE — Flames continue to burn in the hills above Cameron Lake.

Crews from the Coastal Fire Centre, supported by volunteer firefighters from both the Coombs and Dashwood Fire Departments, continue to action a wildfire on the northern shores, which was reported just after midnight on Thursday, July 31.

Continuing to burn out of control, according to the BC Wildfire Service, the Wesley Ridge fire grew to 90 hectares overnight and is believed to be human-caused.

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

6h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

“The fire is burning in difficult to access to terrain,” an update from the Service stated. “Overnight growth was cross-slope, east to west between the lake and the ridge overnight. Crews, heavy equipment and aviation resources continued operations overnight. Tactics will focus on the north flank of the fire.”

Smoke can be seen from across much of central Vancouver Island from the Wesley Ridge fire, burning since early Thursday morning. (BC Wildfire Service)

Multiple BC Wildfire Service officers are on site again on Friday, Aug. 1.

“We have 46 firefighting resources working that fire today, they are being supported by our aviation resources, helicopters and water skimmers,” Kimberly Kelly, Coastal Fire Centre information officer, said. “We have heavy equipment working in the area as well as structure protection resources en route.”

Those resources will be deployed primarily along the northeastern flank once they arrive on scene, to prevent the fire spreading to homes nearby.

Crews on scene have said the fire is difficult to battle given the steep terrain.

Kelly added the weather slowly turning has helped.

“We are seeing cooler temperatures and better relative humidity recovery which is beneficial to us in terms of those fine fuels getting some moisture and dew in them overnight.”

Evacuation orders by the Regional District of Nanaimo remain in place for properties along the northern shores of Cameron Lake, while a select number of homes northeast of the fire are under evacuation alert.

Those residents have been instructed to prepare to leave on short notice, and ensure go-bags are packed with essential items including important documents, medications and personal items.

A map of the approximate borders of the Wesley Ridge fire. (BC Wildfire Service)

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook