9:20 a.m. PORT ALBERNI — Hours after a wildfire burning for over 11 days on Vancouver Island was considered ‘being held’, another wildfire has sparked south of Port Alberni, rapidly growing in a short period of time.
The Mount Underwood wildfire, located near the China Creek Campground, sparked late in the afternoon on Monday, Aug. 11, and was already at 859 hectares as of 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, up from 630 hectares reported late Monday evening.
The wildfire has already led to the evacuation of the China Creek Campground and Marina, located about 15 kilometres south of Port Alberni.
ACRD chair and Huu-ay-aht chief councillor John Jack said as a result of the fire, power is likely only to last for the next three days.
He noted there will be traffic implications as well.
“Bamfield Road is going to be closed from the Port Alberni side indefinitely, and they are currently having a discussion about what traffic will look like coming from the other directions. They’re not cut off per se, but they are technically industrial roads, and therefore the access is being discussed between the various stakeholders.”
An update on the fire is expected from the BC Wildfire Service on Tuesday afternoon.
The fire’s cause is under investigation.
Large plumes of smoke are visible throughout the Alberni Valley area as a result of the large blaze.
The new wildfire was sparked hours after the Wesley Ridge wildfire, burning north of Cameron Lake since July 31, was given the ‘being held’ designation on Tuesday, at 588 hectares in size.
The Wesley Ridge fire did not grow overnight, according to the BC Wildfire Service, and is no longer considered a wildfire of note.
As of 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug 12, there are 97 active wildfires in B.C., seven of which started in the last 24 hours.
— with files from Dave Wiwchar, 93.3 FM The Peak & The Canadian Press.
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