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CBC
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Cautious optimism after rain helps quell Mount Underwood wildfire near Port Alberni, B.C.
Officials on Vancouver Island say 33 millimetres of rain on Friday helped to curb the flames of the Mount Underwood wildfire, which is burning about 8 kilometres south of Port Alberni, B.C. The fire is now estimated at around 36 square kilometres, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service, and is still classified as out of control. But officials say the rain reduced it to a mostly smoldering fire. "The rain did a lot, it minimized fire behaviour. Temporarily, it will minimize fire spread," said incident commander Stefan Hood with the wildfire service. "But that certainly doesn't mean that the work is done. Really and truly, the work is only just beginning." The wildfire service says the reprieve from the hot, dry, windy weather from the past few days will give crews better access to the wildfire and allow them to focus on its perimeter to keep it from spreading any closer to the City of Port Alberni, where residents have been on edge the past few days monitoring the flames. Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions and officials with the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District say all evacuation orders and alerts are still in place, including the order for the China Creek campground and the alert for parts of the Cameron Heights neighbourhood on the southern edge of the city. "We have reason for hope, but people should still be prepared because we don't know everything that could occur," said John Jack, the district's chair and the elected chief councillor for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. Bamfield still without power Jack confirmed that Bamfield, a remote community on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is still without power. He says regional officials are working to set up hot shower and laundry facilities for those who need it. Wildfire growth near Port Alberni unusual for Vancouver Island: wildfire service 2 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 power went out in Bamfield on Monday, the night the fire started. The main road between Port Alberni and Bamfield is closed due to the fire, but a secondary route to Youbou in the Cowichan Valley is available for essential travel only. Some businesses in Bamfield have expressed concern that the situation will diminish their income during the busy tourist season, which sustains many business owners for the rest of the year. During the media briefing on Saturday, Mayor Minions addressed business owners in Port Alberni who had expressed similar concerns. "We are aware of your struggles, we are advocating to the provincial government for resources into the community," she said. Air quality improves Wildfire officials said air quality was a great concern in the past few days but as of Saturday, air quality throughout the mid-island region had greatly improved. "Driving into Port Alberni this morning I was on the phone with my mother and I painted a picture for her that I saw a beautiful rainbow over the inlet and the mountains and the clouds, and the sun poking through," said Hood. Two clean air centres are still open to the public in Port Alberni as a precaution. "Right here in Port Alberni it's quite a lovely day," he said.
CBC
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire south of Port Alberni, B.C., grows, but rain expected in the forecast
The Mount Underwood wildfire burning south of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island grew overnight, but officials are expecting rain to help firefighting efforts starting Thursday evening. The B.C. Wildfire Service estimated the out-of-control blaze had ballooned to 34.06 square kilometres (3,406 hectares) as of midday Thursday, up from 21.56 square kilometres (2,156 hectares) the day before. "Yesterday was an active day out there.... We understand that that was maybe uncomfortable for people," said Stefan Hood with the B.C. Wildfire Service at a Thursday morning briefing. "We have a favourable forecast, which is really great news." The fire has prompted the City of Port Alberni, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) and Tseshaht First Nation to declare states of local emergency, as precautionary measures. More than 500 properties in the area have been without power since Monday evening due to the fire, according to B.C. Hydro's outage list. "Restoration will be started when B.C. Hydro feels it is safe to do so. At this time, it is not safe," said Debbie Haggard, vice chairperson of the ACRD, at the Thursday morning briefing. Around 55 properties have been ordered to evacuate in the ACRD and Cowichan Valley Regional District, and close to 200 properties are on evacuation alert. The province has issued an air quality warning due to wildfire smoke Thursday for parts of Vancouver Island, including Port Alberni and Parksville, and parts of the Sunshine Coast, including Texada Island and Powell River. The warning notes conditions can change quickly, and says people should limit time outdoors. Environment Canada is forecasting rain for Port Alberni to begin Thursday and last until Sunday. Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions said people should not panic, but rather be prepared. "We need to be diligent, we need to be following the updates," she said. "A wildfire of this size is unpredictable." Stacey Green, who grew up in Port Alberni and is in town visiting family, said the fire is unnerving. "I don't recall a time I've ever actually seen ash falling like this and skies quite this smoky," she said. The fire is one of two burning near Port Alberni this week, with the Wesley Ridge blaze to the east of the city now classified as being held. Across B.C., there are about 90 active wildfires.
