Latest news with #MountUnderwood
CBC
an hour ago
- Climate
- CBC
Crews guard against flare-up of Vancouver Island wildfire after rainfall
Crews fighting an out-of-control wildfire near Port Alberni, B.C., say they are taking advantage of recent rainfall to guard against the blaze flaring up again. In a video message posted on its Facebook page, the B.C. Wildfire Service says there are 144 personnel working on the Mount Underwood blaze and they're starting to "mop up" areas at the fire's perimeter by extinguishing hot spots. Mount Underwood fire operations chief Kiah Allen says the goal is to prevent future flare-ups that can create spot fires outside the perimeter once drier and warmer weather returns later this week. WATCH | Mount Underwood fire receives rain: Wildfire growth near Port Alberni unusual for Vancouver Island: wildfire service 5 days ago An out-of-control fire south of Port Alberni has grown to more than 34 square kilometres. The Mount Underwood wildfire was discovered on Monday and doubled in size in 24 hours. The B.C. Wildfire Service describes the blaze as aggressive and explosive and says the rapid growth is due to a severe drought. The fire measured at more than 36 square kilometres has triggered evacuation orders and shut off power, telecom and the main road access to nearby Bamfield, B.C. Environment Canada has again issued a special air quality statement for parts of Vancouver Island, saying that localized smoke from Mount Underwood may "periodically" affect Port Alberni and other nearby communities.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Rain calms wildfire near Port Alberni, B.C., with more wet weather expected
Firefighters on Vancouver Island say overnight rain has helped calm an out-of-control wildfire near Port Alberni, B.C. The BC Wildfire Service says about seven millimetres of rain overnight has lowered the behaviour of the Mount Underwood blaze 'to mainly a smouldering ground fire.' It says in an update that up to 30 millimetres more is expected today, but it won't be enough to fully suppress the blaze and the rains could affect slope stability and cause problems with rockfalls and dangerous trees. Smoke from the Mount Underwood fire has triggered an air-quality statement in the region, along with parts of Vancouver Island's east coast and the Sunshine Coast on the B.C. mainland. The intense wildfire has grown to more than 34 square kilometres this week, at times displaying aggressive fire behaviour that the BC Wildfire Service called 'unusual' for Vancouver Island, before it moderated on Thursday. Vancouver Island fishing hot spot Bamfield grapples with prolonged power outage as wildfire burns Wildfire smoke map: Smoke poses high risk to health in St. John's, Halifax and Yellowknife The fire has cut off power and main road access to Bamfield, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, about 200 kilometres northwest of Victoria, and Parks Canada says it is starting to limit visits to the popular West Coast Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. 'While rain and cooler conditions are expected, this will not completely suppress the fire, although it is expected to reduce fire behaviour and assist in slowing growth, dependent on how much rain we receive,' the wildfire service said in an update on Friday. The Huu-ay-aht First Nations says it has cancelled all Bamfield reservations up to Tuesday, and local businesses will not process any new reservations for that time period. The City of Port Alberni has opened a relief centre for those looking to escape the smoke and heat. About 80 fires are burning across the province, including six that are out of control.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials hope rain clear heavy smoke from wildfire near Port Alberni, B.C.
PORT ALBERNI — Officials on Vancouver Island are hoping rain in the forecast can help clear up the air quality muddied by an out-of-control wildfire. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District says wildland firefighters have said the rain may improve air quality locally, but that it's hard to be certain. The west central region is under an air quality statement, along with parts of Vancouver Island's east coast and the Sunshine coast region on the B.C. mainland. The intense Mount Underwood wildfire has grown to more than 34 square kilometres, with fire behaviour that the BC Wildfire Service says is "unusual" for Vancouver Island. The fire has cut off power and the main road access to Bamfield, B.C., about 200 kilometres northwest of Victoria, and Parks Canada says it is starting to limit visits to the popular West Coast Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The Huu-ay-aht First Nations says it has cancelled all Bamfield reservations up to Tuesday, and local businesses will not process any new reservations for that time period. The City of Port Alberni has opened a relief centre for those looking to escape the smoke and heat. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire growth near Port Alberni unusual for Vancouver Island: wildfire service
An out of control fire south of Port Alberni has grown to more than 34 square kilometres. The Mount Underwood wildfire was discovered on Monday and doubled in size in 24 hours. The BC Wildfire Service describes the blaze as aggressive and explosive and is saying the rapid growth is due to a severe drought.
CBC
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Officials urge caution as 'explosive' wildfire hits Vancouver Island
Local leaders and wildfire officials share their response plan to the Mount Underwood wildfire burning near Port Alberni, B.C.
