Evacuation orders and alerts due to a wildfire on Vancouver Island have been lifted and downgraded, but First Nations say they are still feeling the impact, warning that a propane-powered water-supply system could fail unless gas deliveries are restored.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council said the road linking the Huu-ay-aht and Ditidaht First Nations to Port Alberni had been cut by the Mount Underwood fire, and propane deliverers would not send trucks down an alternative forestry road.
"Port Alberni is their main source for supplies and medical needs," the council said in a statement.
"The only other route out of their communities to Youbou is very rough and dangerous. Flat tires are a common occurrence. In fact, there were 17 flat tires reported in 24 hours."
It said Ditidaht runs generators on propane and delivery had been refused because of the road's condition.
"This has created an urgent situation for Ditidaht as the generator which runs the community water system uses propane. If Ditidaht cannot get propane, they will not be able to get water to their members."
Judith Sayers, president of the tribal council, appealed for the Youbou road's repair, calling propane delivery a "critical measure."
The BC Wildfire Service said Wednesday that the Mount Underwood fire was displaying "minimal" activity, although it was still rated as out of control.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, the City of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation jointly issued an update at 8 a.m. Wednesday saying evacuation orders had been lifted for the China Creek Campground and Headquarters Bay, which remained on evacuation alert.
The update also said the Cameron Heights area of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation's reserves were no longer under alert.
Calling the fire a "challenging event," Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions said in the statement that the city was "deeply relieved that the fire has not grown, and with that stability, (is) rescinding the evacuation alert for the Cameron Heights neighbourhood."
The Cowichan Valley Regional District said it had also rescinded an evacuation order for a number of properties, noting that "the threat to life and safety has passed."
An area within the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District that had been under an evacuation order has been reduced to a smaller area that includes China Creek trails within a regional park.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, representing 14 First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island, said four nations had been directly impacted by the fire, which is burning about 12 kilometres from Port Alberni and within their territories.
John Jack, Chief Councillor for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, said he had conversations with the Ditidaht First Nation and the past few weeks had been challenging for them.
"It's been difficult," said Jack. "It is not only affecting commercial delivery of fuel, it's also affecting their citizens."
"They're asking for some real, immediate attention by the provincial government on the maintenance of the road,."
Jack said that although evacuation alerts and orders had been lifted, there were mixed sentiments.
"There is a palpable relief that power will be restored eventually, and then there's some frustration that the power is out, and that's creating inconvenience, and also difficulty in people's lives and to the businesses that are operating there," said Jack.
He added that many people are "missing out a lot of income over this period."
The main road access to Bamfield, B.C., remained closed for a stretch between the community and Port Alberni.
The BC Wildfire Service update said that significant rainfall in the area over the weekend helped reduce fire behaviour at Mount Underwood, and another 8 millimetres of rain fell on the blaze on Tuesday.
"Over the past several days, fire behaviour has remained minimal, mostly Rank 1 — a smouldering ground fire with little or no open flame," the service said.
The fire is still listed as out of control, but the service says the fire is not expected to grow beyond its 36-square-kilometres size.
There are about 60 active wildfires burning across B.C., with three out of control.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2025.
Chuck Chiang and Nono Shen, The Canadian Press
