08/18/2025
Incredibly grateful for the firefighters and forestry workers who are working endlessly day and night to get this fire under control. A huge thank you to all! 💛
*6:00pm Update:*
As of the end of my show, the information below remains accurate. No major growth in the fire has been reported.
We'll keep this post pinned, and update or replace it as any new, verified information comes our way. ~Tom
12:35 pm Mount Underwood Fire Update, August 18:
Tom here! Looks like the cooler weather and rain really have done a number on the fire. The most recent update from BC Wildfire Service still estimates the perimeter at 3,671 hectares, which is, effectively, unchanged since Saturday. Reports indicate the fire's behaviour is down to Stage 1, meaning mostly smoldering ground fire with some open flame here and there. You can track BC Wildfire's progress, and see pictures of the fire perimeter (like the one below) at this link: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/incidents?fireYear=2025&incidentNumber=V71498&source=map
There are no new evacuation orders or alerts. The evac alerts for the Cameron Heights area remain in effect, as does the evacuation order for the area immediately surrounding Mount Underwood. More information on those can be found here: https://www.acrd.bc.ca/mount-underwood-wildfire
Due to improving air quality, the Clean Air Relief Centre at the Multiplex has been closed. That said, the ACRD's Emergency Operation Centre is continuing to monitor air quality in the region and will re-open the centre, if needed.
BC Hydro reports that crews are now on site to begin restoring power to Nitnatht Lake, Bamfield, the Huu-ay-ahyt First Nation and the Ditidaht First Nation. The sheer extent of the damage means that restoration of power could take up to two weeks. More details are available here: https://www.bchydro.com/power-outages/app/outage-conditions.html %20VI
As usual, we'll keep our ear to the ground. As any new, verifiable information comes our way, we'll make sure to pass it along to you. ~Tom
