The Mount Underwood fire, located about 15 kilometres south of Port Alberni, continued to grow overnight as it burns out-of-control, and is currently the only wildfire of note in the province. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Jordan Davidson

more growth

Mount Underwood wildfire grows overnight, more evacuation alerts issued

Aug 13, 2025 | 10:13 AM

PORT ALBERNI — A wildfire burning south of Port Alberni since Monday evening continues to grow, prompting more evacuation alerts in the area.

The Mount Underwood fire is 2,156 hectares in size as of 10:30 a.m. the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 13, and is currently the only wildfire of note in the province.

Coastal Fire Centre Information Officer Julia Caranci says the fire is exhibiting aggressive behaviour, which is very rare for Vancouver Island.

“What we’re looking at is some very unprecedented dry conditions, winds and terrain, coming together and unfortunately doing what they did with that fire.”

The fire was 1,618 hectares early Wednesday morning, and around 1,391 hectares on Tuesday afternoon, with the cause of the wildfire still under investigation.

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The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) declared a local state of emergency on Tuesday, with the Electoral Areas of Bamfield and Cherry Creek under an evacuation order.

The City of Port Alberni issued evacuation alerts for the southern part of their community at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, including the Tseschat First Nation.

However, the BC Wildfire Service said there is currently no threat to the communities of Bamfield or Port Alberni.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District also issued an evacuation order on Tuesday for a few properties east of the wildfire.

More information on the ACRD evacuation alerts can be found here at their website.

Further information on the wildfire, evacuation orders and alerts, weather, and driving conditions can be found here at Emergency Info BC, the ACRD Emergency Program Facebook page, the BC Wildfire Service, and DriveBC.

Crews continue working on the Wesley Ridge wildfire, cutting fuel lines and putting out hot spots as the wild fire is still considered ‘being held.’ (BCWS)

Meanwhile, the Wesley Ridge wildfire north of Cameron Lake is still ‘being held’ at 588 hectares in size, little change from the day before.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) lifted the evacuation alert for 343 properties Tuesday evening, including lifting the order for Little Qualicum River Falls Provincial Park, while the day-use area remains on evacuation alert.

Some 268 properties remain on evacuation alert in the area, with 35 properties still under an evacuation order.

More information can be found here at the RDN website.

A map showing the current properties under evacuation alert and order due to the Wesley Ridge wildfire. (RDN)

— with files from Dave Wiwchar, 93.3 FM The Peak

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