Evacuation orders and alerts lifted, but Vancouver Island fire troubles First Nations

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Most of the evacuation orders and alerts linked to the Mount Underwood wildfire on Vancouver Island have been lifted or downgraded, with firefighters reporting “minimal” behaviour from the blaze.

But local First Nations are still feeling the impact of the blaze and road closures, warning that shortages of propane could in turn cut water supplies unless gas deliveries are restored.

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, the City of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation jointly issued an update at 8 a.m. Wednesday saying evacuation orders had been lifted for the China Creek Campground and Headquarters Bay, which remained on evacuation alert.

The update also said the Cameron Heights area of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation’s reserves were no longer under alert.

“We are deeply relieved that the fire has not grown and, with that stability, are rescinding the evacuation alert for the Cameron Heights neighbourhood,” said Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions in the statement, calling the fire a ”challenging event.”

The Cowichan Valley Regional District said it had also rescinded an evacuation order for a number of properties, noting that “the threat to life and safety has passed.”

An area within the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District that had been under an evacuation order has been reduced to a smaller area that includes China Creek trails within a regional park.

The main road access to Bamfield, B.C., remained closed for a stretch between the community and Port Alberni.

The BC Wildfire Service said in an update Wednesday that significant rainfall in the area over the weekend helped reduce fire behaviour at Mount Underwood, and another 8 millimetres of rain fell on the blaze on Tuesday.

“Over the past several days, fire behaviour has remained minimal, mostly Rank 1 — a smouldering ground fire with little or no open flame,” the service said.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, representing 14 First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island, said four nations had been directly impacted by the fire, which is burning about 12 kilometres from Port Alberni and within their territories.

It said the Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations had been cut off from Port Alberni by the road closures.

“Port Alberni is their main source for supplies and medical needs,” the council said in a statement.

“The only other route out of their communities to Youbou is very rough and dangerous. Flat tires are a common occurrence. In fact, there were 17 flat tires reported in 24 hours.”

It said Ditidaht runs generators on propane and delivery had been refused because of the road’s condition.

“This has created an urgent situation for Ditidaht as the generator which runs the community water system uses propane. If Ditidaht cannot get propane, they will not be able to get water to their members.”

Judith Sayers, president of the tribal council, appealed for the Youbou road’s repair, calling propane delivery a “critical measure.”

The fire is still listed as out of control, but the service says the fire is not expected to grow beyond its 36-square-kilometres size.

There are about 60 active wildfires burning across B.C., with three out of control.