PORT ALBERNI: BC Hydro crews have successfully restored power today – ahead of schedule – to more than 500 customers in Bamfield, the Huu-ay-aht First Nation, and balaac̓adt following extensive damage caused by the Mount Underwood wildfire.
Since gaining access to the area on August 16, dozens of power line technicians, vegetation management crews and others have worked to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. Crews installed 63 new poles and 65 new spans of power line along a six-kilometres corridor, including two kilometres of steep, unstable terrain. To overcome the most challenging section – a 1.5 kilometre stretch inaccessible due to slope instability – BC Hydro implemented a temporary solution to restore service while planning a permanent fix when conditions allow.
“Safety has been our top priority every step of the way during this restoration effort. Our crews faced extremely challenging conditions, including steep terrain and unstable slopes, and every decision we made was guided by the need to protect both our workers and the public,” said Ted Olynyk, BC Hydro’s Vancouver Island Community Relations Manager. “We know how difficult this outage has been for our customers, and we truly appreciate their patience, understanding and support as we worked to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”
BC Hydro remains committed to strengthening the resilience of its system and working closely with local communities to prepare for future wildfire risks. For the latest updates on outages and restoration efforts, visit bchydro.com/outages.
August 22, 2025
BC Hydro expects to restore power by Saturday evening for customers impacted by Mount Underwood wildfire
BC Hydro crews made excellent progress on Friday and are hopeful that power will be restored by late afternoon or early evening on Saturday to customers in Bamfield, the Huu-ay-aht First Nation and balaac̓adt, following the extensive damage from the Mount Underwood wildfire.
To help ensure a smooth and safe restoration, BC Hydro asks that impacted customers turn off major appliances and unplug sensitive electronics. This reduces strain on the system and helps protect equipment from potential damage when power returns.
We understand this has been a challenging time for residents in the area, and greatly appreciate the patience and understanding they have shown our crews.
For the latest updates, please visit bchydro.com/outages. Updates will be posted as soon as they are available.
August 21, 2025
BC Hydro crews accelerate Mount Underwood wildfire restoration efforts
PORT ALBERNI: BC Hydro crews are making strong and steady progress in restoring power to over 500 customers in Bamfield, the Huu-ay-aht First Nation and balaac̓adt, following extensive damage from the Mount Underwood wildfire. Power has been out since August 11, and restoration efforts began after crews gained access to the affected area on August 16.
Since then, crews have installed 60 new power poles and strung 62 spans of power line. The rebuild spans six kilometres, including two kilometres of steep forested cliffs and unstable rock, presenting significant challenges for crews.
Work is now underway on the most challenging section of the corridor. A 1.5-kilometre stretch of power line remains inaccessible due to slope instability, preventing safe access for field crews. To maintain momentum, BC Hydro is implementing a temporary solution that will be replaced with a permanent installation once safety conditions in the area allow.
Initially, power restoration was estimated for August 30. However, due to the steady progress made and temporary solution, BC Hydro now expects to advance the timeline by a few days. While the situation remains complex and subject to change, crews are optimistic and continue to explore every opportunity to accelerate work. Progress is being evaluated 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.
For the latest information on outages and restoration efforts, visit bchydro.com/outages.
Aug. 19, 2025
BC Hydro crews push forward with restoration efforts following extensive wildfire damage near Mount Underwood
PORT ALBERNI: 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.
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.
As of today, a growing team of restoration personnel is on-site, including 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.
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.
For the latest information on outages and restoration efforts, visit bchydro.com/outages.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468