Mount Underwood Wildfire Near Port Alberni Rages Out Of Control

A wildfire reported Monday near Port Alberni has already grown to an estimated 1,618 hectares in size.

The Mount Underwood fire, out of control and a wildfire of note, is burning about 12kms south of Port Alberni, off the highway between Port Alberni and Bamfield (the Bamfield Main Road). BC Wildfire says there is no threat to either Bamfield or Port Alberni.

A Local State of Emergency and an Evacuation Order are in place for some area residents.

The road between Port Alberni and Bamfield is closed (Franklin River Road). Traffic control is in place on the Alberni side from Cameron Shop all the way to the Franklin River Road, Bamfield Main Road and Cameron Main Road junction (road to Youbou).

The China Creek Regional Park & Campground is in the proximity of the fire and has been evacuated.  In an update yesterday, BC Wildfire said Bamfield had no power and limited services.

They are asking people to stay away from Bamfield unless they are residents as officials don’t want any additional pressures on the community by having extra people trying to get there, either by road or by trails.

More information on road closures can be found at DriveBC.

An Initial Attack crew, air tanker and 4 helicopters responded Monday evening, as well as night vision equipped helicopters and structural protection specialists, who were working to safeguard campgrounds, mills,and log sorting facilities.

An Incident Management Team is enroute and will take over command of the incident on Thursday.

The fire is about 12 kilometres south of Port Alberni and 19 kilometres southwest of the Wesley Ridge wildfire, which has been burning since July 31st.

At close to 600 hectares, that wildfire, north of Cameron Lake, is now listed as being held.