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.

A wildfire near Port Alberni, B.C., is rapidly growing out of control and has more than doubled in size in less than a day. The Mount Underwood wildfire, measuring almost 14.5 square kilometres as of 7 p.m. PT, is located just over 10 kilometres south of the Vancouver Island city, which is home to around 19,000 people.

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.

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.

PORT ALBERNI - The wildfire that has triggered evacuation orders and alerts on south-central Vancouver Island is billowing smoke that has prompted Environment Canada to expand an air quality advisory