Emergency Alerts

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The RDN uses Voyent Alert! for emergency notifications. To learn more about this, see the RDN Voyent Alert! page.

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Wildfire Safety Reminders

• It is likely smoke will be visible in surrounding areas. If it is smokey in your area, it is best to keep indoors and close your windows when possible.
• Avoid all areas near the wildfire, obey signage and give fire crews the space to work.
• The operation of any aircraft not associated with fire suppression activities (including drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)) near a wildfire is illegal. It also poses a serious threat to the safety of firefighting personnel.
• If you detect a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from your cellphone. You can also report a wildfire via the free BC Wildfire Service mobile app.

Cameron Bluffs Wildfire

UPDATE: July 12, 2023, at 12 p.m.: Beginning Monday, July 17, 2023, crews will undertake essential rock scaling on the hillside affected by wildfire along Highway 4. This work is critical in ensuring the long-term safety of the corridor. Essential rock scaling at the Cameron Lake Bluffs area of Hwy 4 requires twice-daily weekday closures as follows:

Monday to Friday:

9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - CLOSED
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - single lane alternating traffic, with a westbound release at 11:30 a.m. and eastbound release by 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. - CLOSED

Outside of the weekday closures, this section of Hwy 4 will continue to operate with single-lane-alternating traffic and a pilot car. This includes the long weekend.

Reminders

• Queues are expected to be lengthy so please plan for delays
• The detour route will remain open until the highway is restored to regular capacity
• Motorists should fuel up and bring extra supplies, food and water for their comfort and safety
• Vehicles over 2.6 metres wide, oversized loads and oversized loads requiring permits must continue to use the detour route

Your continued patience is appreciated.

UPDATE: June 23, 2023, at 1:40 p.m. Highway 4 will be RE-OPENED in the Cameron Lake area (Koen Road to Cathedral Grove) at 3 p.m. June 23, 2023, following recovery from the Cameron Bluffs wildfire. This section of the highway is currently open only for single-lane, alternating traffic.

Residents should continue to monitor http://DriveBC.ca and https://www.tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories/ for the latest information on the Highway 4 road closure, detour route and phased opening.

UPDATE: June 13, 2023, at 2 p.m. The Province of BC announced today that a phased re-opening of Highway 4 is tentatively planned to start as early as June 24 or 25, 2023. Until then, Highway 4 remains closed with the detour in place. The phased reopening will initially operate with single-lane-alternating traffic to support safety measures put in place while the slope continues to recover from the effects of wildfire. Assessments of Highway 4 will be conducted during the single-lane opening. There will be significant delays during the single-lane alternating period. Until the highway is fully open, the detour will remain available. The Province anticipates there will be a full opening of the highway around mid-July.

Residents should continue to monitor http://DriveBC.ca and https://www.tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories/ for the latest information on the Highway 4 road closure, detour route and phased opening.

UPDATE: June 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. To support essential goods transport, beginning Sunday, June 11, four piloted convoys specifically for commercial vehicles will be guided along the detour route, to and from Port Alberni. These scheduled convoys will occur daily until further notice. Other drivers will be placed behind the convoys to support the movement of essential supplies. Continue to monitor http://DriveBC.ca and tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories for the latest information on the Highway 4 road closure and detour route.

UPDATE: June 9, 2023, at 10:00 p.m. The detour route has reopened. Continue to monitor http://DriveBC.ca and tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories for the latest information on the Highway 4 road closure and detour route.

UPDATE: June 8, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. DriveBC has advised that the detour route will be closed Friday, June 9 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. to recover a vehicle at Francis Lake. Delay travel if possible. Check emergency information at http://DriveBC.ca. 

UPDATE: June 7, 2023: Due to the Cameron Bluffs wildfire, Highway 4 between Cathedral Grove/MacMillan Provincial Park and Koen Road remains closed. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has put a detour in place. The detour will route traffic from Port Alberni through to Lake Cowichan via Bamfield using forest-service and privately owned industrial roads. The detour extends travel by up to four hours and includes difficult driving conditions. MOTI strongly advises drivers to avoid travel in the area unless essential.

Information on the detour route, including the map on the right, can be found at tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories. Residents are also advised to monitor Drive BC at drivebc.ca for updates. Click here for the June 7 Emergency Alert.