Tuesday August 19, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Also see: Rain helps moderate Mount Underwood wildfire (August 15, 2025) | Mount Underwood wildfire damage to BC Hydro infrastructure could take two weeks to repair (Aug 16) | Next official Mount Underwood Wildfire update on August 19, 2025 [See Wildfire News section]
BC Hydro crews are making steady progress in restoring power to more than 500 customers in Bamfield, the Huu-ay-aht First Nation and Ditidaht First Nation, after the Mount Underwood wildfire caused extensive damage to electrical infrastructure.
Power has been out in the region since August 11, and restoration efforts have been underway since crews were granted access to the affected area on August 16.
The Mount Underwood wildfire was first reported on August 11 and due to rainfall over the past few days may have been adequately contained.
There was no official BC Wildfire Service media update yesterday, but BC Wildfire Service provided an update today.
Poles and lines:
Since arriving on site, crews have placed 15 new power poles and strung 11 spans of power line. In addition to installing infrastructure, workers have cleared debris and removed hazardous vegetation to create safe working conditions and facilitate the rebuild.
Much of the material required for restoration – including poles, wire, and hardware – has already been transported to the site, despite logistical challenges posed by the wildfire and road closures.
Following clearance from BC Wildfire Service on August 15, BC Hydro conducted a full patrol and damage assessment.
The inspection confirmed that 56 power poles were destroyed, and approximately 70 spans of power line – covering nearly 20 kilometres – will need to be restrung.
The rebuild spans six kilometres, including two kilometres of rugged terrain characterized by steep forested cliffs and unstable rock, which pose significant challenges to crews working in the area.
Growing team:
As of today, a growing team of restoration personnel is on-site, including power line technicians, vegetation management crews and equipment operators.
More than 30 additional power poles have now been installed and are staged for wire stringing and hardware installation. Meanwhile, detailed plans have been submitted to begin work in the section of the corridor that traverses steep forested cliffs and unstable rock – an area currently restricted due to safety concerns.
BC Hydro will commence operations in that zone as soon as clearance is granted by BC Wildfire Service.
Restoration by August 30:
Given the scale of the damage and the complexity of the terrain, BC Hydro has estimated that power will be restored by August 30.
However, crews are continuing to explore every opportunity to accelerate the timeline. Additional resources may be deployed as needed, and progress will be reassessed daily to ensure the fastest possible restoration without compromising safety.
Throughout the operation, the safety of BC Hydro crews, first responders and the public remains the highest priority. BC Hydro is committed to keeping affected communities informed and will continue to provide updates as work progresses.
Crews on site:
Crews started arriving on site starting August 16.
- Initial efforts will focus on ground preparation and pole installation.
- Additional crews will be brought in to accelerate the rebuild as work progresses.
Highway closure requires longer travel time:
Due to the highway closure, crews have initially accessed the site through Duncan, adding approximately two hours of travel time each way, said BC Hydro in today’s news release. “Once the road reopens, access will improve significantly,” says BC Hydro.
Ongoing outage updates:
For ongoing updates on the outage, visit bchydro.com/outages.
===== RELATED:
- Mount Underwood wildfire damage to BC Hydro infrastructure could take two weeks to repair (August 16, 2025)
- Rain helps moderate Mount Underwood wildfire (August 15, 2025)
- Mount Underwood wildfire expands by 1,250 hectares overnight (August 14, 2025)
- Mount Underwood wildfire near Port Alberni is growing quickly (August 13, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT | BC HYDRO | POWER OUTAGES