The highway is now closed between Port Alberni and Bamfield, while nearby China Creek Regional Park and Campground \u201cis being evacuated,\u201d according to the BCWS.<\/p>\n
BC Hydro says the fire has caused a power outage<\/a> impacting more than 500 customers in the Nahmint, Sarita and Bamfield areas, with crews working to get it restored.<\/p>\n Read more below<\/strong><\/p>\n An out-of-control fire is a wildfire that is spreading or is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter or control line, the BCWS says on its website.<\/p>\n More below<\/strong><\/p>\n Many people in the area are reaching out to CHEK News, reporting large plumes of smoke. Photos show the smoke visible from as far away as B.C.\u2019s mainland.<\/p>\n \u201cSmoke is visible from surrounding communities,\u201d the BCWS says.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026and due to terrain and proximity, may appear to be coming from the Wesley Ridge wildfire when viewed from the north and east.\u201d<\/p>\n The fire is approximately 12 kilometres south of Port Alberni and 19 kilometres southwest of the Wesley Ridge wildfire, the BCWS says.<\/p>\n It says various firefighting personnel, including four helicopters and one airtanker, are responding to the fire, which is displaying Rank 4 and 5 fire behaviour.<\/p>\n \u201cNight vision-equipped helicopters are actioning the fire overnight, and structural protection specialists are on scene,\u201d the wildfire service says.<\/p>\n \u201cI know the China Creek Wildfire situation is unsettling to watch evolve,\u201d said Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions. \u201cThe ACRD (Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District) is opening an Emergency Operation Centre to monitor and respond to the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Minions says people can visit the ACRD Emergency Program Facebook page<\/a> for updates, and stresses the importance of registering for the Voyant Alert emergency system<\/a>. Residents will receive notifications via text, email or phone when doing so.<\/p>\n \u201cTake care of each other. Check in with one another,\u201d said John Jack, Chief Councillor at Huu-ay-aht First Nations, in a video post on his Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone needs to really just come together and support one another.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more below<\/strong><\/p>\n A post on the China Creek Campground Facebook page around 8:30 p.m. Monday says due to the fire nearby, the campground and marina have been \u201csafely evacuated.\u201d<\/p>\n It goes on to say that campground staff \u201cwill monitor along with the ACRD (regional district) to provide updates as soon as we have accurate information to share.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Port Alberni-based Tseshaht First Nation<\/a>, fire crews are requesting that people \u201cstay away from the Bamfield Main area to allow them to do their work.\u201d<\/p>\n In a Facebook post just before 9 p.m., the nation urges members in the Polly\u2019s Point\/Tiipis area to \u201cplease continue ot remain calm and ensure you have a grab and go bag at the ready in case it\u2019s needed.\u201d Follow the nation\u2019s Facebook page for updates<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cA friendly reminder to ensure you are receiving information from verified sources.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more below<\/strong><\/p>\n The BCWS says the cause of the fire is under investigation.<\/p>\n \u201cWildfire investigations often take time and can be very complex. Investigations may be carried out by one or more agencies, including the BC Wildfire Service, the Compliance and Enforcement Branch, the RCMP, or other law enforcement agencies, and may be cross-jurisdictional,\u201d reads a post on the Mount Underwood fire page.<\/p>\n This wildfire comes as the fire danger rating in Port Alberni sits at \u201cextreme,\u201d with temperatures hitting 37 degrees Celsius locally Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n With an \u201cextreme\u201d rating, \u201cnew fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts,\u201d reads information on the B.C. government\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n MORE ISLAND WILDFIRE NEWS: Some evacuees cleared to return home as Wesley Ridge wildfire now considered \u2018held\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754985675_301_image.png\")
(BCWS)<\/p>\n\n
\n