Highway 4 near Port Alberni remains closed in both directions due to the Cameron Bluffs Wildfire.

“Once we’re good from a wildfire perspective, there will still need to be work to clear debris before we can reopen,” said South Coast Region deputy director Janelle Staite on Wednesday.

Drive BC has a detour in place, but notes it is recommended it is used for essential travel only - as it’s considered challenging terrain, and there’s no cell service or gas stations.

“We haven’t defined what essential travel is, but we are asking the public to decide whether they need to travel to those West Coast communities,” said Staite.

The detour route extends travel by four hours. It is strongly encouraged to wait to travel if possible.

Discovered Sunday morning, the Cameron Bluffs fire covers 140 hectares.