Road closed by Vancouver Island wildfire near Bamfield may open by October

A slash pile is seen above the Alberni Inlet, looking towards Mount Underwood, south of Port Alberni, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

PORT ALBERNI — The British Columbia government says it is aiming to reopen the main road between Port Alberni and Bamfield on Vancouver Island by the end of October, months after a raging wildfire cut off the route.

The Ministry of Transportation says unstable slopes, trees and debris flow risks remain on a 1.5 kilometre section of road closed by the Mount Underwood blaze that had forced multiple evacuation orders and alerts in August.

The ministry says it’s working with Mosaic Forest Management to reopen the road and on guidelines for its future use during periods of high wind or heavy rain.

It says a new weather station and closure gates on the road will be installed in the next few weeks.

People going to and from Bamfield are being asked to continue using the industrial road to Youbou, noting drivers should use caution given its variable surface conditions.

The outbreak of the wildfire between Port Alberni and Bamfield also cut off power to the community, although that has been restored.

The BC Wildfire Service says wet and cooler weather across the province over the weekend has helped in crews battle against multiple blazes.

The service says in its update that some areas in the Coastal Fire Centre have received up to 20 millimetres of rain, although this week will see a two-day warming and drying trend.

There are still about 135 active wildfires burning across the province.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2025.