Overview

• The blaze has grown to over 2,000 hectares by August 13 and is classified at Rank 4–5, indicating active crown-fire behavior with limited direct attack options.
• The City of Port Alberni, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and Tseshaht First Nation have declared states of emergency and issued evacuation orders and alerts for roughly 300 properties, including full evacuation of China Creek Campground.
• Closure of the only road between Port Alberni and Bamfield has isolated the community, leaving more than 500 BC Hydro customers without power.
• Fire managers have mobilized air tankers, night-vision helicopters, structure-protection crews and are preparing an incident management team to reinforce suppression operations.
• Environment Canada has issued an air-quality statement for inland Vancouver Island as smoke blankets nearby areas while the wildfire’s cause remains under investigation.