PARKSVILLE — The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has assumed operational command of a wildfire burning out of control on the north side of Cameron Lake on Vancouver Island.

As of noon on Sunday, Aug. 3, the Wesley Ridge wildfire is 389 hectares in size after being sparked on Thursday.

Fire information officer Madison Dahl said they currently have 142 personnel responding, including 65 firefighters, seven pieces of heavy equipment, seven helicopters and multiple air tankers and skimmers providing a 24-hour response.

“Overnight operations include two helicopters that have night vision technology, heavy equipment structure protection, and BC Wildfire ground crews. Overnight last night, ground crews used direct attack to pull the fire in all wildland urban interface areas.”

She said they are in a “unified command” with the RDN, with continued support from the RCMP, local authorities, and nearby fire departments such as Dashwood and Coombs, as well as departments across Vancouver Island.

The size of the fire is based on the current available conditions on the ground and in the air, but can be difficult to judge at times due to the smoke limiting visibility, according to Dahl.

For Sunday, she said they will continue to focus on the protection of properties and infrastructure in the Little Qualicum River Village and Park area on the north side of Cameron Lake, as well as any critical infrastructure or properties in the vicinity of the wildfire, with roughly 75 members part of the structural protection team.

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.