Saturday August 16, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Also see: Rain helps moderate Mount Underwood wildfire (August 15, 2025) | Next official Mount Underwood Wildfire update on August 19, 2025 [See Wildfire News section]
To deal with extensive damage to BC Hydro infrastruture due to the Mount Underwood wildfire, the utility has begun restoration work today.
The damage has left more than 500 customers in Bamfield, the Huu-ay-aht First Nation and Ditidaht First Nation without power since August 11, as stated in a news release today from BC Hydro.
The Mount Underwood wildfire was first reported on August 11 and due to rainfall yesterday may have been adequately contained.
There was no official BC Wildfire Service media update today.
Damage to poles, wire and hardware:
After receiving clearance from BC Wildfire Service on August 15, BC Hydro conducted a full patrol and damage assessment, which confirmed that the damage is significant — 56 power poles, along with associated wire and hardware, will need to be replaced.
Crews will need to restring 70 spans of power line – roughly 20 kilometres in total, says BC Hydro.
The rebuild will cover six kilometres, including two kilometres of particularly difficult terrain marked by steep forested cliffs and unstable rock.
Three crews on site:
Starting today, three crews will be on-site, supported by 10 vegetation workers and four pole-digging machines.
- 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 will initially access 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.
Two-week project:
Given the scale of the damage and the challenging terrain, BC Hydro estimates that power restoration could take up to two weeks.
BC Hydro says that timelines will be reassessed regularly, and that they’re hopeful as work continues that the timeline can be accelerated.
The safety of BC Hydro crews, first responders and the public remains the top priority throughout this restoration effort.
Ongoing outage updates:
For ongoing updates on the outage, visit bchydro.com/outages.
===== RELATED:
- 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