Wildfire forces evacuation orders on Vancouver Island

An out-of-control wildfire forced the evacuation of hundreds of people near the Vancouver Island community of Port Alberni. 

The BC Wildfire Service says in an update that the Mount Underwood blaze has reached about 8.6 square kilometres in size.

The wildfire set off the evacuation of the China Creek Campground and Marina, which has 250 tent and RV campsites and is about 15 kilometres southwest of Port Alberni.

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District issued an evacuation order shortly before midday Tuesday.

“This wildfire is a threat to life & safety. Impacted people must evacuate NOW,” warned Emergency Info BC in a post to social media.

The BC Wildfire Service says the highway between Port Alberni and Bamfield has now been closed due to the wildfire. Drivers are advised to steer clear of the are, even if only passing through.

It says an attack crew and several firefighting aircraft have been mobilized to fight the fast-growing blaze, and structural protection specialists are also on site.

Meanwhile, BC Hydro says nearly 500 homes in the area Bamfield Road are without power.

There are about 96 wildfires burning across B.C., nine of which are classified as out-of-control.

The Wildfire Service says temperatures are well above seasonal from the coast to the Rockies in southern B.C., and while cooler air is expected to move in from the north, it will remain hot and dry in the south before a new system brings rain to the area by Friday.