Vancouver Island highway connecting Port Alberni and Tofino to reopen

The wildfire that forced the closure of a key highway connecting communities on the west coast of Vancouver Island has been declared under control, and the province says it’s on track to reopen to single-lane alternating traffic this weekend.

A statement from the Transportation Ministry says crews have cleared the stretch of Highway 4 east of Port Alberni of trees and debris that had tumbled down over steep terrain, and work is underway to install temporary safety measures.

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It says those measures include a concrete barrier and protective “mesh curtains” suspended by cranes to prevent debris from falling onto the route.

The province says a lengthy backroad detour remains open, but it’s recommended for essential travel only, while local airlines have added flights to meet demand for travel to and from cut-off communities, including Tofino.

The highway has been closed since June 6 due to the Cameron Bluffs wildfire. At that time, the BC Wildfire Service said it believed the fire was human-caused.

-With files from Emily Marsten