2 days ago
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.
