Cowichan — According to CHEK, BC Hydro has announced that power restoration for Bamfield and nearby First Nations could take up to two weeks due to extensive damage caused by the Mount Underwood wildfire. Since August 11, over 500 customers have been without electricity after the wildfire destroyed 56 power poles and approximately 20 kilometres of power lines.

At a glance:

• Outage Duration: Over 500 customers without power since August 11.
• Damage Assessment: 56 poles and 20 km of line need replacement.
• Workforce: Three crews are currently on-site, with more expected to join.
• Access Issues: Crews are travelling from Duncan due to Highway 4 closure, adding two hours to their commute.
• Current Fire Size: The Mount Underwood wildfire has burned approximately 3,671 hectares and continues to spread.



Crews began rebuilding efforts on Friday after receiving clearance from the BC Wildfire Service. The restoration work involves challenging terrain, including steep cliffs and unstable rock, which complicates the process. BC Hydro has stated that while they estimate power could be restored within two weeks, this timeline may change as work progresses. They emphasized that the safety of their crews, first responders, and the public is their top priority during this restoration effort.




During the outage, residents of Bamfield have been relying on generators and community support. Locals noted that while they are accustomed to power outages, they typically occur during winter storms rather than in the summer months. For ongoing updates regarding the restoration efforts, residents are encouraged to visit BC Hydro’s website.




Sources

• CHEK: https://cheknews.ca/bc-hydro-says-bamfield-power-outage-could-last-up-to-two-weeks-after-wildfire-damage-1272937/
• Govikesgo.Com: https://govikesgo.com/calendar
• BC Hydro: https://www.bchydro.com/safety-outages/power-outages.html?WT.mc_id=rd_outages

Updates Timeline

08/16/2025, 08:23 PM - Admin edit

Last updated: Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 08:23 PM