The Mount Underwood wildfire has been downgraded to “being held”, indicating that crews have gained control of the fire’s entire perimeter.
The new classification from “out of control” to “being held” was made by the BC Wildfire Service on Wednesday, meaning that Mount Underwood is not expected to grow beyond the perimeter that has been established.
“Fire behaviour and activity has been minimal on this incident, primarily Rank 1 – a smoldering ground fire with no open flame,” stated the wildfire service in an update issued today.
Temperatures in Port Alberni are expected to return to 30C over the weekend, a warming that could increase smoke from the smouldering mountainside south of the small city. The BC Wildfire Service expects that more visible smoke will help crews target hot areas for suppression.
“As fuels continue to dry, pockets of heat may become more active, particularly in the late afternoons,” said the service.
Over the past week 40 millimetres of rain fell on the wildfire, conditions that came with an actual decrease in Mount Underwood’s calculated size. On Monday, Aug. 18 the wildfire was reported to be 3,671 hectares, but today (Aug. 21) it is reported to be 3,548. Mount Underwood emerged in the early evening of Aug. 11, quickly raging along the slope that overlooks the China Creek Campground and Marina.
As the wildfire eased this week, an evacuation order for the China Creek facility was removed on Aug. 20, downgraded to an alert that allows people to return to the marina and campground. An evacuation alert for a south Port Alberni neighbourhood and the Tseshaht reserve at Polly’s Point was also removed.
The road from Port Alberni to Bamfield remains closed in the area that the wildfire hit, and a power outage to Bamfield, Anacla and Nitinaht is expected to be restored by Aug. 30.
As of Aug. 21, there are 173 fire fighters working on Mount Underwood, plus danger tree fallers. Seven helicopters are also working on the wildfire, with 14 pieces of heavy equipment.
“Crews are digging into the forest floor to expose and extinguish smoldering hot spots within 100 feet of the fire’s edge,” stated the BC Wildfire Service, adding that personnel “have now been able to access all four flanks of the fire and are continuing to push containment around the perimeter.”
