Containment Achieved, but Power Outages, Road Closures, and Community Impacts Persist

The Mount Underwood wildfire on Vancouver Island, though no longer out of control, continues to cause disruptions. Power outages and road closures persist, impacting the local community.

John Jack, chairman of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, emphasized the importance of preparedness for all communities facing wildfire risks. He highlighted that emergency situations can lead to extended periods without access or power. Jack, also Chief Councillor for the Huu-ay-aht First Nation, stressed the need for every municipal government, community, neighborhood, and household to have a plan to manage for at least 72 hours without power.

The BC Wildfire Service has classified the fire near Port Alberni as being held, with an estimated size of 35 square kilometers. The fire, which remains B.C.’s only wildfire of note, initially displayed aggressive behavior before being tempered by significant rainfall.

The fire has resulted in the destruction of approximately six kilometers of BC Hydro lines, leaving over 500 customers without power. The utility is working on the rebuild, which involves challenging terrain. Despite these challenges, BC Hydro anticipates restoring power ahead of the initial August 30 estimate.

The blaze also led to the closure of the road connecting Port Alberni to Bamfield and the Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations. The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council reported that the closure jeopardized the water system for the Ditidaht community, which relies on propane and gas deliveries. Efforts are underway to improve an alternative logging road to make it safer for larger vehicles.

Jack noted that residents are relieved to see progress but remain frustrated by the road closure. The regional district is considering requesting provincial relief for businesses that have lost income due to the fire. He believes it's crucial to advocate for such measures, especially if weather-related events like fires become more frequent and severe.

Fire Information Officer Julia Caranci explained that the fire's rapid growth was due to several factors. These included drought conditions, extremely dry conditions, and the fire starting at the bottom of a slope with aligned winds.

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar expressed gratitude to the fire and emergency crews for their efforts in protecting nearby communities. Currently, there are approximately 60 active wildfires across B.C., with two burning out of control in remote areas of northeastern B.C. No evacuation orders or alerts are associated with these fires.