PORT ALBERNI

Brynn Waisman, left, and Bruce Patterson are ready with information for travellers who have inundated the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Visitors’ Centre since Highway 4 closed due to wildfire. (JOLLEEN DICK PHOTO)

Alberni Valley visitors’ centre handles hundreds of requests from stranded travellers

First full day of Highway 4 closure due to wildfire saw 300 people stop at centre

Brynn Waisman, left, and Bruce Patterson are ready with information for travellers who have inundated the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Visitors’ Centre since Highway 4 closed due to wildfire. (JOLLEEN DICK PHOTO)
This photo shows the aftermath of a wildfire along Highway 4 east of Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY BC MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Highway 4 remains closed east of Port Alberni, no estimate for re-opening

Cameron Bluffs wildfire still out of control at 254 hectares

This photo shows the aftermath of a wildfire along Highway 4 east of Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY BC MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)
Lisa John—plus one—crosses the stage to receive her Early Childhood Care and Education certificate, June 22, 2022 at the NIC graduation. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

North Island College postpones graduation ceremonies due to wildfire near Port Alberni

New date will be selected in fall for Alberni Valley, west coast graduates to celebrate

Lisa John—plus one—crosses the stage to receive her Early Childhood Care and Education certificate, June 22, 2022 at the NIC graduation. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A wildfire is burning on Cameron Bluffs, near Highway 4 east of Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Cameron Bluffs wildfire continues to burn, now 254 hectares

Most of the fire growth has been on the southern flank, away from Highway 4

A wildfire is burning on Cameron Bluffs, near Highway 4 east of Port Alberni. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)
A Columbia Fuels truck winds its way along the detour route between Lake Cowichan and the Bamfield Main logging road as Highway 4 is closed due to a wildfire at Cameron Bluffs. Bringing fuel trucks into Port Alberni and the West Coast remains a challenge, according to the ACRD’s Emergency Operations Centre. (B.C. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)

Pilot cars to escort convoys of food, fuel trucks around Highway 4 detour

Drivers are asked to limit use of detour from Port Alberni to allow movement of essential goods

A Columbia Fuels truck winds its way along the detour route between Lake Cowichan and the Bamfield Main logging road as Highway 4 is closed due to a wildfire at Cameron Bluffs. Bringing fuel trucks into Port Alberni and the West Coast remains a challenge, according to the ACRD’s Emergency Operations Centre. (B.C. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)
A food truck belonging to Quality Foods drives ailong the detour route between Lake Cowichan and Port Alberni to deliver goods on Friday, June 9, 2023. (B.C. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)

Cameron Bluffs fire near Port Alberni grows to 208 hectares; Highway 4 remains closed

B.C. Premier Eby faces criticism over not opening Horne Lake connector as second route

A food truck belonging to Quality Foods drives ailong the detour route between Lake Cowichan and Port Alberni to deliver goods on Friday, June 9, 2023. (B.C. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)
Mosaic Forest Management is restricting access to roads on its privately owned lands for emergency use only in June 2023. Gates, such as this one on Comox Main, prevent public access. (ROB FROLIC PHOTO)

Horne Lake connector route for emergency use only, says province

Mayor says city will be pushing for second route out of Port Alberni

Mosaic Forest Management is restricting access to roads on its privately owned lands for emergency use only in June 2023. Gates, such as this one on Comox Main, prevent public access. (ROB FROLIC PHOTO)
Crews spray down the Highway 4 detour route to reduce dust. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Eight-hour closure planned for Highway 4 detour on June 9

Detour route will be closed starting in the afternoon on Friday, June 9

Crews spray down the Highway 4 detour route to reduce dust. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)
A gas station in Port Alberni offers Supreme gasoline at Regular price on Thursday, June 8, 2023 while it waits for a refill to arrive. (SUSAN QUINN / Alberni Valley News)

No danger to supply chain despite Highway 4 closure, says Port Alberni’s mayor

Detour is bringing delivery of supplies to Alberni Valley as highway remains closed due to wildfire

A gas station in Port Alberni offers Supreme gasoline at Regular price on Thursday, June 8, 2023 while it waits for a refill to arrive. (SUSAN QUINN / Alberni Valley News)
Fire in the bluffs above Highway 4 and Cameron Lake. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District closes reception centre as alternate highway route opens

Detour available via Bamfield using forest-service and privately owned industrial roads

Fire in the bluffs above Highway 4 and Cameron Lake. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)
Traxson Hetherington, 5, gets a hand from club member Rhonda Holcombe. (SONJA DRINKWATER / Special to the AV News)

West Coast Rangers open house goes off with a bang

The Rangers are a historical reenactment society in Port Alberni

Traxson Hetherington, 5, gets a hand from club member Rhonda Holcombe. (SONJA DRINKWATER / Special to the AV News)
An aerial photo shows the forest fire burning on Cameron Bluffs along Highway 4 by Cameron Lake. The fire was first discovered late Saturday night, June 3, 2023. (COASTAL FIRE CENTRE PHOTO)

Helicopters, initial attack crews tackle wildfire east of Port Alberni

Cameron Bluffs fire near Cameron Lake on Highway 4 estimated at 20 hectares

An aerial photo shows the forest fire burning on Cameron Bluffs along Highway 4 by Cameron Lake. The fire was first discovered late Saturday night, June 3, 2023. (COASTAL FIRE CENTRE PHOTO)
A passenger took this photo of the Cameron Bluffs fire on Tuesday (June 6) morning. (PHOTO COURTESY TONY SHUMUK)

Highway 4 closes again east of Port Alberni as wildfire grows to 109 hectares

Cameron Bluffs fire east of Port Alberni has been burning since June 3

A passenger took this photo of the Cameron Bluffs fire on Tuesday (June 6) morning. (PHOTO COURTESY TONY SHUMUK)
A firefighter with Port Alberni Fire Dept. shines a light from the aerial ladder onto the roof of the Wintergreen Apartment building on Fourth Avenue after one of the upper units caught fire late Thursday, May 18, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

One dead after fire in small Port Alberni low-income apartment building

Trailers in adjacent lot also evacuated; unknown number of people displaced

A firefighter with Port Alberni Fire Dept. shines a light from the aerial ladder onto the roof of the Wintergreen Apartment building on Fourth Avenue after one of the upper units caught fire late Thursday, May 18, 2023. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Wahmeesh Ken Watts, left, elected Chief Councillor with Tseshaht First Nation, and Evan Cook, Huu-ay-aht First Nations councillor, on May 11, 2023 announce a partnership between the nations to build a new hotel in the Alberni Valley. (MELISSA BIGMORE PHOTO)

First Nations agree to build first new hotel in Port Alberni since 1980

Huu-ay-aht, Tseshaht Nations partnering with MasterBUILT Hotels to build Microtel hotel

Wahmeesh Ken Watts, left, elected Chief Councillor with Tseshaht First Nation, and Evan Cook, Huu-ay-aht First Nations councillor, on May 11, 2023 announce a partnership between the nations to build a new hotel in the Alberni Valley. (MELISSA BIGMORE PHOTO)
The Penticton Vees and Salmon Arm Silverbacks exchange handshakes following a five-game series in the Interior Conference Finals. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Underdog Bulldogs prepare to bite into the BCHL championship finals

BCHL: Alberni Valley to face defending champs Penticton Vees in Fred Page Cup

The Penticton Vees and Salmon Arm Silverbacks exchange handshakes following a five-game series in the Interior Conference Finals. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Colleen Peters (with umbrella) and her granddaughters, Alannah and Tatianna Peters, walk along Victoria Quay in the MMIWG2+ Walk of Remembrance, May 5, 2023 in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Walkers remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people

Tla-o-qui-aht invited to lead walk in Nuu-chah-nulth territory, in Port Alberni

Colleen Peters (with umbrella) and her granddaughters, Alannah and Tatianna Peters, walk along Victoria Quay in the MMIWG2+ Walk of Remembrance, May 5, 2023 in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A car ended up in Rogers Creek in Port Alberni on Monday, May 1 after the driver had a medical emergency. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Driver rescued after car ends up in Rogers Creek in Port Alberni

RCMP praise passersby who jumped into water to help unconscious woman

A car ended up in Rogers Creek in Port Alberni on Monday, May 1 after the driver had a medical emergency. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
A fire in the bottom floor of a two-storey home on First Avenue in Port Alberni got into the roof and caused heavy damage, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)

House fire in central Vancouver Island sends two to hospital

Port Alberni Fire Dept. answers call to two structure fires in one night

A fire in the bottom floor of a two-storey home on First Avenue in Port Alberni got into the roof and caused heavy damage, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)
RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing in the 3900 block of Roger Street on Tuesday, April 25. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Stabbing in Port Alberni leaves one dead, one in custody

Port Alberni RCMP says no threat to public after incident

RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing in the 3900 block of Roger Street on Tuesday, April 25. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)