The mayor of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island says about 50 residents evacuated from their homes due to a nearby wildfire will soon have an update on when they will be able to return.
Sharie Minions says officials are working with the BC Wildfire Service to update two evacuation orders and three alerts that are in place due to the out-of-control Mount Underwood fire.
Fire information officer Karley Desrosiers says 160 personnel are working on the fire, which is not expected to grow beyond its current 36 square kilometres as the area warms up after several rainy days.
Desrosiers says smoke will likely become more visible as the area dries.
The blaze shut off power and the main road access to nearby Bamfield, B.C., and BC Hydro spokesman Ted Olynyk says it could be two weeks before the power is back on.
In a video message posted on its Facebook page, the BC Wildfire Service says crews are starting to "mop up" areas at the fire's perimeter by extinguishing hot spots.
Mount Underwood fire operations chief Kiah Allen says the goal is to prevent future flare-ups that can create spot fires outside the perimeter once drier and warmer weather returns later this week.
Environment Canada has again issued a special air quality statement for parts of Vancouver Island, saying that localized smoke from Mount Underwood may "periodically" affect Port Alberni and other nearby communities.
Rain over the weekend has helped douse wildfire activity across B.C., with the number of active blazes down to about 60.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2025.
Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press
