An aggressive wildfire detected Monday night has forced up to 300 people to flee a campground near Port Alberni, B.C.
The China Creek Campground and Marina southwest of the Vancouver Island city was evacuated due to the Mount Underwood fire, which grew quickly from around 50 hectares in size around 7 p.m. to 150 hectares by 9 p.m. Around 10 p.m., it had ballooned in size even further to 630 hectares.
In an update late Monday night, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the blaze was displaying Rank 4 and Rank 5 fire behaviour — meaning it was an extremely vigorous surface fire and burning to the tops of trees.
Officials say the Bamfield Main Road is closed between Port Alberni and Bamfield as they investigate the cause of the fire.
The co-CEO of the Port Alberni Port Authority, which is responsible for the China Creek campground, said up to 300 people had to leave the site on Monday.
“The road is closed to Bamfield. So that cuts off people on on both sides,” said co-CEO Mike Carter just after 9 p.m. Monday.
“But, as far as the port authority is concerned, it’s just a campground is under our jurisdiction and that’s been fully evacuated, and we’re standing by to see how things go overnight.”
Carter said he was concerned about potential fire damage to tents, RVs or boats as the blaze is being excacerbated by winds and heat on Vancouver Island — but the number one priority was the safety of clients and staff.
“My understanding is Port Alberni itself as a city is not in any harm,” Carter said. “However, people need to be prepared, have bags packed and just monitor.”
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District said in an online update at 9:15 p.m. PT it had activated its emergency operations centre.
The fire is located around 12 kilometres south of Port Alberni, a city of around 19,000 people on Vancouver Island.
Wildfire crews say helicopters equipped with night vision would fight the blaze overnight, and crews specialized in protecting structures were on scene.
“Smoke is visible from surrounding communities and, due to terrain and proximity, may appear to be coming from the Wesley Ridge wildfire when viewed from the north and east,” read the online BCWS update.
An evacuation alert was issued for three properties northwest of Osoyoos, in B.C.’s southern Interior, for a separate fire on Monday night.
The Conifryd Creek wildfire is estimated at 7.5 hectares in size as of 8:30 p.m. PT on Monday, and it is considered as being held by the BCWS.
The fire prompted Highway 3 near Osoyoos to be closed for around two hours in both directions on Monday evening, though it had reopened to single-lane alternating traffic just before 8:30 p.m. PT.
An evacuation alert means residents should prepare to evacuate their homes with little to no notice.
