The True Post (Web News)Residents of Little Qualicum River Village on Vancouver Island have been ordered to evacuate immediately due to an out-of-control wildfire threatening their homes.
Around 400 properties in the Regional District of Nanaimo, including areas west of Parksville, Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, and the north shore of Cameron Lake, are under mandatory evacuation orders. An additional 280 homes remain on evacuation alert.
According to BC Wildfire Service spokesperson Kristy House, firefighters are facing tough conditions, including steep, rocky terrain and unpredictable high winds. Aerial resources—helicopters, skimmer planes, and air tankers—are being used to fight the fire, especially along the lake.
Local resident Jack Mitchell described the scene as surreal:
“I was born here. I’ve lived here all my life, and now I see my neighbors rushing, warning each other, packing up. It doesn’t feel real.”
Mitchell said his family began preparing for evacuation Thursday, even though the order came on Friday. With a three-month-old baby, they received help from police, who gave them just 10 minutes to gather essentials.
BC Wildfire Service suspects human activity may have sparked the fire, which has intensified due to high winds. Crews, heavy machinery, and air support continued working overnight. Multiple fire departments across Vancouver Island have been deployed to protect urban structures.