Water being dropped on the Nanaimo Lakes wildfire Wednesday.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says good progress is being made on the Nanaimo Lakes Wildfire, and an evacuation order has been downgraded to an alert and the previous alert has been removed.
The alert is now in-place for homes west of the fire, and is outlined in red below:
(Photo: RDN)
Residents under an alert will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an evacuation but they may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.
The alert has been rescinded for 77 residences east of the fire, outlined in yellow below.
(Photo: RDN)
Crews are still working to battle the out-of-control wildfire west of Nanaimo, which is now at 182-hectares.
Although the fire is now 40 per cent contained and officials say it is not noticeable growing in any direction.
“The crews have made excellent progress,” said fire information officer Dorothy Jacobsen. “They are comfortable making that recommendation to the local government, we are pleased to hear some people will rest a bit easier tonight.”
Two-helicopters, 34 firefighters and 10 pieces of heavy equipment are working to fight the blaze,
Nanaimo River Road will remain closed 300 metres on each side of the fire, and pilot cars will be used to escort traffic.
“Thanks a lot to the cooperation of the local people, we know it’s been a trial for them,” added Jacobsen.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but it is suspected to be human-caused.
Updates on evacuation orders and alerts can be found here, or on the Regional Districts of Nanaimo’s Facebook and Twitter.
There are another three fires currently burning on Vancouver Island. One is being held in Maple Mountain near Crofton, the other two are near Port Alberni.
Julian Kolsut
