The Mount Underwood wildfire on south-central Vancouver Island has surged to more than 34 square kilometres, marking a 58 per cent increase in size since Wednesday. Officials say the fire’s growth was anticipated, with its northeasterly spread moving away from major urban areas. Thick smoke continues to hamper aerial and ground assessments, prompting Environment Canada to extend air quality advisories to the northern Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast, with the heaviest smoke affecting eastern Vancouver Island, Texada Island, and Powell River.
Fire crews reported moderate fire activity overnight as cooler temperatures and higher humidity set in. Winds from the southwest, gusting up to 20 km/h, are expected to continue pushing the blaze northeast. Rain is forecast to bring 15 to 40 mm of precipitation, which should aid suppression efforts, though officials caution that the island’s prolonged drought means substantial rainfall will be needed for a lasting impact.
Fire behaviour experts warn that changing wind patterns could turn the fire’s back into its head, driving flames into fresh fuel sources in steep terrain. Crews are working to secure the north flank, protect access routes, and extinguish spot fires along the road between Port Alberni and Bamfield. The community of Bamfield remains without power, and its main access road is closed. Residents and visitors are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to the area.
States of local emergency have been declared by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, the City of Port Alberni, and the Tseshaht First Nation. Evacuation orders are in place for some properties along the Alberni Inlet, with alerts for others near Port Alberni. The Mount Underwood blaze is one of roughly 90 active wildfires in British Columbia, fewer than 10 of which are out of control. In West Kelowna, police are investigating two separate fires suspected to be linked to fireworks, both now contained but under active investigation.