Detour In Place As Highway 4 Remains Closed At Cameron Lake Bluff Due To Wildfire

Highway 4 remains closed at Cameron Lake Bluff due to the wildfire, with traffic making its way through the detour again over the weekend.

The detour reopened as planned Friday night following the successful extraction of a vehicle from Francis Lake.

The priority for the detour route is to ensure the movement of essential goods, such as fuel and food.

Starting yesterday, four piloted convoys specifically for commercial vehicles began guiding trucks along the detour route, to and from Port Alberni.

The scheduled convoys will occur daily until further notice - leaving Lake Cowichan at 5am and 3pm and leaving Port Alberni at 10am and 8pm.

Commercial vehicles will also be permitted to travel outside of these windows, however, there will be no pilot vehicles at other times.

Other drivers will be placed behind the convoys because the priority is the movement of essential supplies, such as fuel and food.

Checkpoints are in place along the detour route to provide information for travelers.

The next update on reopening is coming at noon today.

The Cameron Bluffs Fire covers 254 hectares and is still listed as out of control.

A firefighter was hurt battling a blaze on Saturday and was transported to hospital by air- ambulance.

Another big fire in the province forced the evacuation of the community of Tumbler Ridge, in the northeastern part of the province.

Shifting weather patterns helped over the weekend.

2,400 residents were forced to flee last week. Some were able to get back into the area on the weekend to take care of livestock or maintain critical infrastructure and other essential services.

For up-to-date information about driving conditions, visit DriveBC.