An out of control, wildfire of note located on mount underwood, approximately 12 kilometres south of Port Alberni, has grown to 2156 hectares in size.
According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, an initial attack crew, air tankers and helicopters, equipped with night vision responded to the fire upon its discovery Monday – with additional firefighters assigned later that evening.
The China Creek regional park and campground, located just north of the wildfire, was successfully evacuated, and structural protection has been put in place for the entire park.
The service says that the Mount Underwood wildfire is displaying rank 4 and rank 5 behaviour – meaning its a highly vigorous surface fire with torching or passive crown fire and some active crown fire (a fire that spreads from tree top to tree top).
Currently there are 3 attack crews,3 unit crews, along with 5 helicopters, 5 skimmers, one birddog and a heavy equipment task force working the fire.
The service notes the fire is not currently a threat to Port Alberni, Bamfield or Youbou – but due to current conditions Frankline River Road, the road between Bamfield and Port Alberni, is closed.
Evacuation orders have been issued for Electoral Area F and Electoral Area A in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD).
In addition, an evacuation order is in place for an area close to the fire in Electoral Area F of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD).
Power is down in Bamfield and cell service is limited – the service is asking the public to stay away from Bamfield unless you are a resident.
Story by Sage Daniels
