Officials say out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island will cause more smoke

The BC Wildfire Service says rising temperatures will lead to more smoke from the Wesley Ridge wildfire burning on Vancouver Island.

Madison Dahl, fire information officer, says the out-of-control fire north of Cameron Lake has grown "minimally" to 5.8 square kilometres from 5.71 square kilometres Friday morning, with the growth limited to steep backcountry.

But as temperatures continue to rise through the weekend, residents can expect to see more smoke in the area, Dahl says, adding that the current hot and dry conditions are expected to persist over the next few days.

Lisa Grant, emergency operations centre director with the Regional District of Nanaimo, says 294 households remain subject to evacuation orders, with 353 households remaining on evacuation alert.

Grant says authorities are "working hard" to allow residents on evacuation order in Little Qualicum River Village, below Warn Way, to return to their homes by Aug. 11.

Grant says more information will be forthcoming, but adds that conditions can change quickly as authorities continue to monitor the situation.