An out-of-control fire south of Port Alberni has grown to more than 34 square kilometres. The Mount Underwood wildfire was discovered on Monday and doubled in size in 24 hours. The B.C. Wildfire Service describes the blaze as aggressive and explosive and says the rapid growth is due to a severe drought.

A raging wildfire that has forced evacuations on south-central Vancouver Island has been burning at some of most severe levels of fire behaviour, a display that is "unusual" for the region, the British Columbia officials said Wednesday.

The wildfire set off the evacuation of the China Creek Campground and Marina, which has 250 tent and RV campsites and is about 15 kilometres southwest of Port Alberni. The service says the highway between Port Alberni and Bamfield has been closed due to the fire.

Rain is expected in the region late Thursday, but the wildfire service says it would have to be ‘significant’ to help quell the fire

As crews continue to battle the nearby Mount Underwood wildfire, Port Alberni staff will be out on Thursday issuing notices to properties with fire hazards.

Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions shares how residents are coping as wildfires grow amid dry conditions and little to no rain on Vancouver Island.

A road closure and power outage due to the out of control Mount Underwood wildfire are causing financial strain for the tourism-dependent community of Bamfield on Vancouver Island.