The City of Port Alberni has declared a state of local emergency over the Mount Underwood fire, which has grown to 1,447 hectares.
In a social media post, Mayor Sharie Minions said after a shift in the fire's direction, the city declared the state of emergency.
An evacuation alert has been put in place in the Cameron Heights Area. Tseshaht First Nation and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District have enacted evacuation alerts for Franklin River Road and Tiipis (also known as Polly's Point).
While there remains no imminent danger to most of the city or its surrounding areas, people are encouraged to have a go-bag in case the situation changes.
The provincial government, Island Health and the First Nations Health Authority have issued an air quality warning for inland Vancouver Island due to the smoke from the Mount Underwood blaze. Air quality in Alberni and as far southeast as Lake Cowichan are affected. The warning adds places like Tofino may experience some smoky conditions, but not as severely.
People should limit time outdoors, reduce or reschedule sports and stay hydrated and cool.
Those who are 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition are at increased risk for smoke-related health problems.
Even while indoors people should take note if they develop serious symptoms including:
- wheezing
- chest pains
- severe cough
