Hundreds of people have now been forced to evacuate as the Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island continues to grow. It’s now well-over 500 hectares, out-of-control, and continuing to expand. Heavy equipment, planes and helicopters, specialists and more than 160 crew have been brought in. The area includes Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park and spots next to Highway 4. Drivers are being warned to prepare for sudden changes between Parksville and Port Alberni.
Meanwhile, smoke from the Wesley Ridge fire is starting to impact the air quality on Vancouver Island. Air Quality advisories have been posted for Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanoose Bay. Those in the B.C. Interior are also dealing with bad air from a host of fires. Air Quality bulletins are up for the Fraser Canyon, Okanagan, Cariboo and South Thompson.
