X Local - Nanaimo

09/04/2025

09/01/2025

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08/16/2025

⚠️ MOUNT UNDERWOOD WILDFIRE UPDATE

The Mount Underwood wildfire (V71498) south of Port Alberni has now grown to 3,668 hectares and remains Out of Control.

🚨 2 Evacuation Orders and 3 Evacuation Alerts are currently in effect.

🌲 The fire has expanded rapidly - and continues to threaten surrounding forests, roads, and communities.

💨 While recent rain has slowed some fire activity, heavy smoke and smoldering hotspots remain a concern once conditions dry again.

What Happens When the Rain Ends

Rain delays the fire, but once it ends, land and weather conditions could favor faster fire movement.

Once the rain subsides - especially if it tapers off by Wednesday, August 20, as the forecast suggests - the wildfire behavior may shift as follows:

1. Fuels Dry Out Rapidly

Moisture from light to moderate rain typically only reaches surface fuels.

With temperatures rising to 23–24 °C and humidity dropping, fine fuels like grass, needles, and twigs could dry within hours, reigniting potential.

2. Fire Danger Ramps Up Again

As the day warms and humidity lowers, the Fire Weather Index (FWI) tends to climb swiftly, increasing fire spread risk.

This sets the stage for more aggressive fire behavior, especially if winds pick up.

3. Smouldering Hotspots Revive

Even less intense fires can sustain smouldering embers in duff layers or logs.

When drying resumes, these can flare back into active fronts.

4. Spotting Resumes

Dry, windy conditions can carry embers kilometers ahead of the main blaze.

Stay alert. Stay safe.

Our thoughts are with the crews working around the clock and with everyone in the Alberni Valley who is facing this uncertainty.

❤️

08/16/2025

08/16/2025

Ladies and gentlemen, we are good to go. The team should be taking off shortly from Nanaimo airport for our 7pm show over Nanaimo Harbour. See everyone down at the waterfront! City of Nanaimo Local Government

08/16/2025

MOUNT UNDERWOOD WILDFIRE UPDATE #8

Bamfield and Anacla are on Day five without Power, and today they got the first sense of what is to come.

BC Hydro has been planning for the repairs by getting supplies ready for when they would be able to start making repairs, but until today they did not have a clear idea of what damage their crews would be facing.

Thanks to the cooler, rainy weather today, BC Wildfire allowed BC Hydro to enter the Evacuation Order zone to take a first-hand look at the damage Mount Underwood Wildfire caused its infrastructure. There are roughly 55 power poles that have been burned and are down, with an unknown timeline to fully restore power.

BC Hydro has not given the Emergency Operations Centre any indication of how long Bamfield residents should expect to be without power.

For further information, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca
For current road conditions, visit: www.drivebc.ca
To ensure you receive emergency alerts, download the Voyent Alert! app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store, or visit www.acrd.bc.ca/voyentalert for details on the emergency notification service.

City of Port Alberni Local Government
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Government
Tseshaht First Nation
Hupačasath First Nation
Huu-ay-aht First Nations
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government
Port Alberni Fire Department
Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Cherry Creek Fire Department
Bamfield Volunteer Fire Department
Bamfield Community Emergency Program
Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department
93.3 The PEAK

08/15/2025

Smoke levels are high in these areas:

- Comox Valley: includes Black Creek and Cumberland.
- East Vancouver Island (central): includes Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Coombs, Qualicum Beach, F***y Bay, Denman Island, Hornby Island, and Lasqueti Island.
- Inland Vancouver Island: includes Lake Cowichan, Nahmint, Port Alberni, central portions of Strathcona Park and Schoen Lake Provincial Park.

You may be at higher risk if you are:

- 65 or older
- Pregnant
- A young child
- Living with heart or lung conditions (like COPD) or diabetes
- Working outdoors

If you have coughing, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort, slow down and get medical advice by calling 8-1-1.

Learn more at islandhealth.ca/wildfires

08/15/2025

👀 Nanaimo, we are still watching the skies 🌦

We’re keeping a close eye on the weather for today’s performance. The call will be made closer to show time, based on cloud ceiling and visibility.

We have three possible shows ready to go:
☁️ High – our full aerobatic routine
☁️ Low – a modified routine with less high maneuvering
☁️ Flat – our non-aerobatic display

Cancellation is always the very last resort; we want to fly just as much as you want to see us!

Stay tuned here for updates, and keep those eyes on the sky.

City of Nanaimo Local Government

08/15/2025

MOUNT UNDERWOOD WILDFIRE UPDATE #7

The rain is falling in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District!

BC Wildfire stresses that rain is good news overall, but the fire is still listed as Out of Control and a Fire of Note. As of Thursday afternoon, the fire was 3,406 hectares in size.

Rain slows fire growth, but often creates challenges for the firefighters on the ground. It can make banks unstable causing rocks and debris to fall. To ensure everyone's safety, the public is not permitted to enter the Evacuation Order zone.

The cooler weather will also give BC Wildfire an opportunity to prepare for when the hot weather returns. They are expecting that next week's forecasted hot weather will bring with it more fire activity. BC Wildfire is busy charting fire behaviour and will project what firefighters can expect. Being well prepared will enable them to approach the fire more efficiently.

As we head into the weekend, Mosaic is extending its pause on public access to Mosaic lands for the foreseeable future.

For further information, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca
For current road conditions, visit: www.drivebc.ca
To ensure you receive emergency alerts, download the Voyent Alert! app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store, or visit www.acrd.bc.ca/voyentalert for details on the emergency notification service.

City of Port Alberni Local Government
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Government
Tseshaht First Nation
Hupačasath First Nation
Huu-ay-aht First Nations
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government
Port Alberni Fire Department
Bamfield Volunteer Fire Department
Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Cherry Creek Fire Department
Sproat Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Bamfield Community Emergency Program
Uchucklesaht Tribe Government
93.3 The PEAK

08/15/2025

Whether you are staying home or planning to travel, keep your vehicle's fuel tank or EV charge at least half-full if possible ✔️

This will ensure you have enough fuel or battery charge to leave the area if you're directed to evacuate due to an emergency like a wildfire.

Learn more: PreparedBC.ca/wildfires