Fire crews have been working to contain a 0.3-hectare fire burning on private timberlands on Highway 4, near the Alberni Summit (known locally as the Hump).
"Crews are still working on it and making good progress," said Donna MacPherson, information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre. "We're hoping to have some good news by the end of the day."
Two helicopters attacked the fire from the air with water-filled "bambi buckets", and there were two officers and nine crew members on the ground, MacPherson said.
While smoke could be seen from Port Alberni, the highway has not been impacted at all, she added. The only hazard has been drivers pulling over to see what's going on and getting in the way. She asked drivers to be aware of their surroundings when passing the site.