RDN asks Horne Lake users to stay within 100 metres of shore as helicopters scoop water
Visitors at Horne Lake are asked to remain within 100 metres of shore while helicopters use the lake to fight the nearby Cameron Lake wildfire, which has grown past 100 hectares. Evacuation order and alert remain in effect for nearby areas.
First reported by MyComoxValleyNow, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is asking anyone on Horne Lake to keep close to shore—within 100 metres—while helicopters use the waterbody to bucket and support wildfire operations near Cameron Lake. The fire remains out of control and has grown to over 100 hectares. An evacuation order and an evacuation alert continue for nearby areas.
See live conditions: Open our State of the Island Map with the Wildfires layer enabled — Open the map.
At a glance
- Helicopters are actively scooping from Horne Lake to support wildfire suppression.
- Visitors and boaters should remain within 100 metres of the shoreline and yield to aircraft.
- The Cameron Lake/Wesley Ridge wildfire is over 100 hectares and remains out of control.
- An evacuation order and evacuation alert are in place for nearby areas; follow official instructions.
What this means for boaters and visitors
- Stay within 100 metres of the shore and keep clear of aircraft flight paths.
- Do not approach or follow helicopters or skimmers; interference poses serious safety risks and can halt operations.
- Expect intermittent closures or restricted access near launch points and along flight paths.
- Monitor official updates and be prepared to clear the water quickly if requested by crews.
Context: Cameron Lake wildfire
The wildfire burning near Cameron Lake (often referred to as the Wesley Ridge wildfire) continues to challenge crews in steep terrain. Growth and status may change as conditions evolve and as new official updates are posted.
Sources
- MyComoxValleyNow — RDN advisory regarding Horne Lake and firefighting aircraft: mycomoxvalleynow.com/110391/news/fire/wildfires/rdn-asks-horne-lake-users-to-be-aware-of-firefighting-aircrafts
- Regional District of Nanaimo — public safety advisories and evacuation information
- BC Wildfire Service — incident updates and control status
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Editor’s note: We will update this article as official information changes.