PORT ALBERNI — 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.
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.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
The Canadian Press
