Wildfire crews hope for reprieve as rain falls on Vancouver Island blaze

By Courtney Dickson
CBC News
August 15, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

PORT ALBERNI, BC — Rain has arrived on Vancouver Island, where an out of control wildfire has been burning for several days. The Mount Underwood wildfire, south of Port Alberni, BC, covers about 34.06 square kilometres, according to the BC Wildfire Service’s latest information Friday morning. It has forced evacuations, prompted local states of emergency and caused power outages throughout the area since it was discovered on Monday. Environment Canada is forecasting rain all day Friday and into the weekend in the area, which could aid firefighters battling the blaze. The area around Port Alberni could get up to 20 millimetres on Friday, the weather agency says. …A special air quality statement remains in effect for eastern and inland Vancouver Island. …As of Friday morning, there are 83 wildfires burning across the province. Of those, six fires are burning out of control.

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