Wildfire that forced hundreds to flee on Vancouver Island now under control

A wildfire burning northwest of Nanaimo that had forced hundreds to flee is now under control, while crews are making progress on another blaze southwest of that city.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) announced Saturday evening that crews made significant progress in fighting the Wesley Ridge wildfire burning on the north banks of Cameron Lake, about 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo in southeast Vancouver Island.

Firefighters are still in the area patrolling and extinguishing hot spots, according to the BCWS.

In total, the fire burned nearly six square kilometres of land and was previously listed as being held.

At its peak , nearly 400 properties were under evacuation order due to the fire, and hundreds more were on evacuation alert, which meant residents had to be ready to leav