The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will begin escorted trips four times a day to ensure essential goods are getting into Port Alberni and West Coast communities.
Highway 4 remains closed between Parksville and Port Alberni due to a wildfire at Cameron Bluffs. Cooler temperatures and high humidity on Saturday meant the fire, mapped at 208 hectares, did not grow, according to the Coastal Fire Centre. The fire was described on Saturday as “displaying a smoldering ground fire with some open flame” as well as some areas “unworkable by firefighters” due to the steep terrain.
A detour route between Lake Cowichan and Port Alberni via Bamfield Main reopened Friday night after an eight-hour closure to recover a vehicle that had rolled down an embankment at Francis Lake. The priority for the detour is to ensure the movement of essential goods, such as food and fuel. People are being asked to use the road for essential travel only.
READ: Cameron Bluffs fire near Port Alberni grows to 208 hectares; Highway 4 remains closed
Beginning Sunday, June 11 four piloted convoys specifically for commercial vehicles will be guided along the detour route, to and from Port Alberni. The convoys will occur daily until further notice.
The daily piloted departure times are as follows:
• Leaving Lake Cowichan at 5 a.m.
• Leaving Port Alberni at 10 a.m.
• Leaving Lake Cowichan at 3 p.m.
• Leaving Port Alberni at 8 p.m.
Other drivers will be put behind the convoys because the priority is to move essential supplies, according to the transportation ministry. Commercial vehicles will also be able to travel the detour route any other times, although there will not be pilot cars outside of the four daily departure times.
“Currently, our largest concern remains the movement and distribution of fuel into the Alberni Valley,” an ACRD Emergency Operations Centre spokesperson noted. “We are in discussion with (transportation ministry) staff and directors from private industry to secure safe, efficient and sufficient transportation of fuel while Highway 4 is closed.”
Gas stations in Port Alberni and the West Coast ran out of gas within a day after the highway was closed, as people flocked to fill their gas tanks. Some stations are rationing gas, limiting customers to $50 worth of gas. West Coast communities and First Nations leaders issued a joint statement on Friday asking people to limit travel to essential purposes only. “The safety of our residents is our primary concern, and we need to ensure our emergency services have adequate supply of fuel to continue delivering services.”
The ACRD EOC is working with Health Emergency Management BC to ensure that medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and critical care services are being provided.
Checkpoints are in place along the detour route to provide information for travellers. For a map of checkpoints, go online to https://www.tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories.
This is the only detour route available for the public. Emergency vehicles and B.C. Wildfire Service vehicles are the only vehicles permitted to use the Horne Lake connector to the north, which is behind locked gates.
There are no other routes available around the Highway 4 closure, despite what Google Maps might say; Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Jolleen Dick said many travellers who approached the chamber’s visitors’ centre for travel assistance last week asked about a route showing on Google Maps.
“We’re getting random clusters of people thinking they’re going home via Google Maps,” said Dick, adding that staff have assured travellers the only route is through Lake Cowichan.
For up-to-date information about road conditions, visit www.DriveBC.ca. The next update on the Highway 4 closure will be Monday afternoon.
susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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