PORT ALBERNI – A wildfire in south-central Vancouver Island has led to evacuation orders and alerts, with Environment Canada issuing an air quality advisory that now extends to the northern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast. The smoke from the fire is particularly dense on eastern Vancouver Island, as well as Texada Island and Powell River.
The Mount Underwood fire, which is burning out of control approximately 12 kilometers south of Port Alberni, has prompted concerns regarding air quality. An update from the BC Wildfire Service indicates that firefighters experienced "moderate" fire behavior overnight, despite cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels.
Rain is anticipated to arrive in the region later in the day, with forecasts predicting between 15 to 40 mm of precipitation in the vicinity of the fire, which encompasses more than 20 square kilometers. The wildfire service noted that while this moisture could support firefighting efforts, it would require "significant" rainfall to have a substantial long-term effect, especially considering the ongoing drought conditions affecting Vancouver Island.
The fire has caused power outages in the community of Bamfield, which has been without electricity since the blaze was discovered on Monday. The main route connecting Bamfield to Port Alberni is also closed. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District communicated via its emergency operations Facebook page that power restoration efforts by BC Hydro personnel would not commence until the area is declared safe.
Authorities are advising individuals who do not reside in Bamfield to refrain from unnecessary travel to the community, which serves as a popular starting point for hikers on the West Coast Trail. As of now, the Mount Underwood fire is among approximately 90 active wildfires across British Columbia, with fewer than ten classified as burning out of control.
As of Thursday, the city of Port Alberni is experiencing "smoky skies," according to the regional district. They have reminded the public that while the smoke is prevalent, it does not necessarily indicate that the fire is encroaching closer to the city. The BC Wildfire Service had previously assured that the communities of Port Alberni, Bamfield, and Youbou are not currently under threat from the fire.
This wildfire situation illustrates the ongoing challenges posed by environmental conditions in British Columbia, where local emergency services are balancing the demands of firefighting efforts with the necessity to safeguard community well-being.
