Saturday August 23, 2025 | PORT ALBERNI, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Bamfield Road remains closed due to unsafe conditions.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit released that advisory today, August 23. This is 12 days after the discovery of the Mount Underwood wildfire in the area.
The 76 km long Bamfield Main Road is owned by both public and private entities, including 15 km managed by Mosaic Forest Management.
The road inaccessibility has meant long detours for BC Hydro crews in order to complete the restoration of electrical service to 528 BC Hydro customers who have been without power since August 11.
BC Hydro had first estimated a restoration completion date of August 30 then said it would take longer to restore power to the Bamfield area. But today BC Hydro says power will be restored by this evening, August 23 (customers should turn off major appliances and unplug sensitive electronics).
Government is lending a hand:
The Province of B.C. is lending its expertise to Mosaic Forest Management as it develops plans to reopen the Bamfield Main Road, sections of which were rendered unsafe due to the Mount Underwood wildfire.
“The Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) recognizes the importance of Bamfield Road to the Huu-ay-aht First Nation and area residents,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit in a news release today.
“There is substantial work necessary over the coming weeks and months ahead to reopen Bamfield Road. Ensuring the safety of the travelling public is the top priority, and the Province will continue to provide technical resources and support to Mosaic throughout this process,” said Farnworth.
One section unsafe for all traffic:
Initial engineering assessments have determined a section of the Bamfield Road managed by Mosaic is unsafe for all traffic, prompting Mosaic to close the route with a section of the road being defined as a No Work Zone by BC Wildfire Services.
Falling rocks, dangerous trees and a fire-damaged slope are presenting exceptionally challenging conditions.
“There is no timeline for reopening the road in its current configuration,” the Ministry says.
“Mosaic has asked for assistance from the Province about solutions to make the road passable for public and commercial users. Further technical assessment is required to determine the timeline for any immediate fix to provide for public access,” says MOTT.
Detour through to Youbou:
Currently, the detour route through to Youbou remains the only available alternative ground route.
MOTT is working with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and other partners, including Mosaic, to enhance the level of maintenance given increased public use during the detour.
Geotechnical engineering assessments:
“We take the safety of road users extremely seriously and there have been multiple geotechnical engineering assessments completed of the current situation,” said D’Arcy Henderson, chief operating officer, Mosaic.
“Based on initial technical assessments, BC Wildfire Service has determined the road is currently unsafe for all transit. Safety remains our top priority in all decisions,” said Henderson in the government’s news release today.
Once Mosaic is given clearance from BC Wildfire Service to go back on the lands, additional geotechnical assessments can be completed, which will better position the company to determine when slope restoration efforts and road repairs can begin and will allow a timeline for this work to be established.
Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District:
“We acknowledge and appreciate the primacy of safety that Mosaic has always held close as a core value, and we also want to underline the level of co-operation and communication that they have demonstrated throughout this whole emergency situation,” said John Jack, Chief Councillor of Huu-ay-aht First Nations, and chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.
“While the situation itself is packed with challenges, we look forward to surmounting them with partners such as Mosaic and the provincial government.”
===== RELATED:
- Mount Underwood wildfire now being held after 10 days (August 21, 2025)
- Mount Underwood wildfire update Aug 20: steady size, less evacuation (August 20, 2025)
- BC Hydro on track for 2-week power restoration after Mount Underwood wildfire damage (August 19, 2025)
- NEWS SECTION: WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT