Hwy 4 on Vancouver Island to be closed for at least another week, B.C. transport minister says

The only highway serving the western Vancouver Island municipalities of Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet and communities in the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation will remain closed for at least another week as a wildfire above the road continues to cause concern.

The province's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said it expects single-lane alternating traffic to resume by Saturday, June 24.

"The impact of the fire has been significant," said Rob Fleming, B.C.'s transportation minister, at a news conference in Chilliwack, B.C., on Tuesday afternoon. "We know that Highway 4 is a vital connection.

"We are anxious to get the road open as quickly as possible… We cannot open the highway until we know the travelling public will be safe."

He said the steep slope above the highway has made the fire "particularly dangerous" as rocks, trees and other debris have fallen onto the highway. 

Even when the fire is put out, Fleming warned, it will still take some time to ensure the cliff face is stable.

"We expect the highway to be fully closed for at least another week," he said. But even after it reopens, he expects single-lane alternating traffic for "some time" through the affected area beside Cameron Lake.

The fire remains relatively small at just over 2.5 square kilometres, the B.C. Wildfire Service estimates, an area that has held steady for several days.

Nearly 100 firefighters and four helicopters are battling the fire, which is considered "being held" and not growing, officials said.

"Fire behaviour is decreased and is currently displaying a smouldering ground fire with some open flame," the B.C. Wildfire Service said in the latest update on the blaze Tuesday morning. 

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Yet despite its relatively small size compared to many of B.C.'s other 76 active fires, the area where it's burning above Highway 4 is of chief concern.

Coastal Fire Centre spokesperson Donna MacPherson told CBC News on Sunday that with fires, "location is everything."

"Assessments are underway to monitor the danger of falling trees and debris on the highway and to assess slope conditions," the B.C. Wildfire Service said in a statement on Monday.