The Wesley Ridge fire has grown substantially since it sparked Thursday, threatening homes in the nearby area. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Alex Rawnsley

direct attacks

‘Prioritize protection of residences:’ focus firmly on saving homes near Wesley Ridge fire

Aug 3, 2025 | 9:21 AM

PARKSVILLE — Slightly cooler temperatures have helped firefighters overnight, but plenty of work remains to douse a wildfire north of Cameron Lake.

The Wesley Ridge wildfire remains at an estimated 389 hectares in size as of 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, however the BC Wildfire Service notes smokey conditions are making it difficult to map the exact perimeter of the fire.

“The south edge of the Wesley Ridge wildfire, along Cameron Lake, is burning in inaccessible and challenging terrain with large amounts of available timber, the Service noted in a morning update on Sunday, Aug. 3. “It will continue to produce smoke as the fire consumes fuel on the slopes of Wesley Ridge.”

Nearly 70 provincial firefighters, along with resources from multiple local volunteer fire departments, remain on scene on Sunday.

Seven helicopters are working the scene in shifts from the air, dumping water at regular intervals.

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Another seven pieces of heavy equipment are working to build containment lines, while structure protection teams are focusing on ensuring nearby homes remain safe.

Throughout Saturday, the mapped perimeter of the fire extended past homes in the Little Qualicum River Falls area, however BC Wildfire Service said no homes had been lost to date in the incident.

“Numerous fire departments from across Vancouver Island are contributing to structure defense task forces focused on the protection of properties and infrastructure in the Little Qualicum River Village & Park area and the north side of Cameron Lake,” the Service continued.

“Overnight, ground crews used direct attack to cool the fire in all wildland-urban interface areas.”

Cameron Lake remains closed to all on-water traffic, while officials are asking the public to remain very close to the shore on both Horne and Spider Lakes, as both are being used as water sources for helicopters and tankers.

Officials on Saturday also asked people not to stop along Hwy. 4 and watch the operation take place, as it creates a hazard on a vital highway link for central and western Vancouver Island, as well as a potential exit route for those on evacuation order.

The BC Wildfire Service is also warning against the use of drones near the fire.

“The operation of drones near an active wildfire is illegal and extremely dangerous, especially when low-flying firefighting aircraft are present. Transport Canada and the BC Wildfire Service explicitly prohibit the use of drones of any size near a wildfire.”

It notes using drones near aircraft “jeopardizes the lives of aircrews and those on the ground and could interfere with fire suppression activities.”

Evacuation order (red) and alert (yellow) zones as of Sunday morning. (BC Wildfire Service)

The evacuation order zone expanded Saturday night to include areas west of Cameron Lake as well as more properties to the north of Hwy. 4 on the eastern side of the lake.

Latest evacuation orders are available here.

Those under evacuation order are being taken care of at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, with capacity as a reception centre for around 200 people.

Other properties managed by the Regional District of Nanaimo are also being readied in case the number of evacuees grows further.

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