Rain calms nature fire near Port Alberni, BC, with more wet weather expected
Rain Helps Control Mount Underwood Wildfire Near Port Alberni, BC
The Mount Underwood Wildfire can be seen on Tuesday on this hand-out photo, southwest of Port Alberni, BC,. The Canadian press/Hand-Out – BC Wildfire ServiceH/The Canadian Press
Firefighters on Vancouver Island say that rain has contributed to an out-of-control wildfire near Port Alberni, BC at night.
The BC Wildfire Service reports that about seven millimeters of rain has lowered the behavior of the Mount Underwood Blaze at night “to mainly a smoldering basement.”
An additional 30 millimeters of rain is expected today, but it may not be sufficient to fully suppress the fire, and the rains could impact slope stability, causing issues with rocks and dangerous trees.
Smoke from the Mount Underwood Fire has triggered an air quality statement in the region, as well as parts of the east coast of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast on the mainland of BC.
The wildfire has grown to over 34 square kilometers this week, exhibiting aggressive behavior at times that the BC Wildfire Service deems “unusual” for Vancouver Island, before being moderated on Thursday.
Vancouver Island Fishing Hot Spot Affected
Vancouver Island fishing hot spot Bamfield faces long-term power outage as wildfire burns.
Wildfire Smoke Map
Smoke poses high health risks in St. John’s, Halifax, and Yellowknife.
The fire has cut off access to the main road to Bamfield on the west coast of Vancouver Island, approximately 200 kilometers northwest of Victoria. Parks Canada is restricting visits to the popular West Coast Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
“Although rain and cooler conditions are expected, this will not fully suppress the fire. However, we anticipate a reduction in fire behavior and a slower growth rate, depending on the amount of rain we receive,” stated the wildfire service in a Friday update.
The Huu-AY-AHT First Nations have canceled all Bamfield reservations until Tuesday, and local businesses will not accept new reservations during this period.
The city of Port Alberni has established a relief center for those seeking refuge from the smoke and heat.
There are approximately 80 active fires in the province, including six that are considered out of control.
