BC Hydro says its crews were able to get a first look at the damage to its systems from the Mount Underwood wildfire, but the full extent is still unknown.

A new out-of-control wildfire on Vancouver Island has forced the closure of one of the few roads to the outer coast and forced the evacuation of a popular campsite. Andrea Macpherson reports.

As the Mount Underwood wildfire rages south of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, residents and other communities bathed in smoke hope the promise of rain will help quench the flames.

Environment Canada is forecasting rain all day Friday and into the weekend in the area, which could aid firefighters battling the blaze. The area around Port Alberni could get up to 20 millimetres on Friday,

The Mount Underwood wildfire that has triggered evacuation orders and alerts near Port Alberni grew to more than 3,400 hectares on Thursday, a jump of almost 1,300 hectares.

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.

In a statement, Parks Canada said it is not accepting new reservations for the trail at this time. Anyone with reservations for Aug. 13 to Sept. 12 is eligible for a full refund, excluding the reservation fee.

The Mount Underwood wildfire south of Port Alberni has resulted in a 'high risk' air quality index status for Nanaimo, as smoke from the fire has drifted into the community. The index uses a 1-10-plus scale, with 1-3 representing low risk, 4-6 being moderate risk, 7-10 being high risk and 10-plus representing very high risk.