By Dominic Abassi

RDN rescinds evacuation alert for 77 homes as containment of Nanaimo Lakes fire grows

Aug 11, 2018 | 1:09 PM

NANAIMO — The Regional District of Nanaimo is walking back evacuation orders and alerts as crews continue to get the upper hand on the Nanaimo Lakes fire.

The RDN confirmed an evacuation alert for 77 homes east of the fire is no longer in effect. An evacuation order for a large area mainly consisting of camping sites to the west and north of the fire has been downgraded to an alert.

In an update issued at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11, the BC Wildfire Service said containment of the fire increased to 40 per cent and its size is holding at around 450-acres (182 ha).

The containment is on the southeast side of the fire and the protection it is providing to the homes in the area is considered sufficient to end the evacuation alert.

Nanaimo River Rd. remains closed 300 metres on each side of the fire and pilot cars will be used to escort traffic, the update said.

average April

'Really didn't do a lot:' April weather does little to address mid-Island wildfire concerns

1h ago

pay attention

More motorcycles hitting mid-Island roads as weather warms up

4h ago

warrant issued

Prince George man believed to be in Nanaimo area wanted by RCMP

6h ago

Resources working the fire were downgraded as well, with 34 firefighters, two helicopters and 10 pieces of heavy equipment still on scene.

The fire is believed to be human-caused, although the exact reason it began is still under investigation.

The Nanaimo Lakes fire was first reported on Aug. 5 and quickly grew from five-acres to well over 200.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi