BC Hydro crews don't know how much of their infrastructure has been damaged due to the Mount Underwood wildfire, with the community of Bamfield currently without power, with no timeline on when it will be restored. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

wildfire outages

BC Hydro unable to determine damage from wildfire as communities remain without power

Aug 13, 2025 | 4:16 PM

PORT ALBERNI — Power lines and poles have suffered damage due to an out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island, putting some communities in the dark for an undetermined amount of time.

The Mount Underwood wildfire, located about 15 kilometres south of Port Alberni, started on Monday and quickly spread, shutting down roads and cutting power to the community of Bamfield and the surrounding area, affecting around 500 properties.

BC Hydro’s Ten Olynyk said they’ve had reports of at least five damaged hydro poles in the area, but are unable to confirm those reports because they’re unable to get on scene due to road closures and firefighting efforts.

“There has been some damage to our equipment. We don’t know the extent and how much damage we’re faced with. It could be just five poles to replace, or it could be a lot more. It’s not just a few day outages, it could be longer than that based on the damage.”

He said it’s a challenging area due to the terrain, making it a much more difficult job than simply replacing damaged poles.

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Olynyk said power was also deliberately cut in the area once damage was reported, to ensure any down or damaged hydro lines don’t cause any safety concerns for any first responders working in the area.

Bamfield and the neighbouring Daudet First Nation receive their power via a distribution line from Port Alberni.

Properties in red have been without power since Monday, Aug. 11, due to the Mount Underwood wildfire damaging hydro lines and shutting down major highways and roads. (BC Hydro)

Once they get the ok from the BC Wildfire Service, they’ll be able to patrol the line and survey the damage, said Olynyk.

He said they’ve been requesting information from the BC Wildfire Service, as well as anyone still in the Bamfield area, on any damage or downed power lines, so they can start preparing.

“The more information we have, the more we can prepare and be better prepared when the time comes when we are given permission, given the green light to go in there. But right now the road is blocked, there’s no access to there, so we can’t get in there to do any patrols of the area to see what sort of damage we’re looking at.”

—with files from Bill Nation, 97.3 The Eagle.

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