Some evacuation orders, alerts linked to Vancouver Island wildfire lifted

Some of the evacuation orders and alerts linked to the Mount Underwood wildfire on Vancouver Island have been lifted or downgraded, as firefighters report "minimal" behaviour from the blaze.

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, the City of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation jointly issued an update at 8 a.m. saying evacuation orders are lifted for the China Creek Campground and Headquarters Bay, which remain on evacuation alert.

The update also says that the City of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation's reserves are no longer under alert.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District says it has also rescinded an evacuation order for a number of properties, noting that "the threat to life and safety has passed."

The main road access to Bamfield, B.C., remains closed for a stretch between the community and Port Alberni.

The BC Wildfire Service says significant rainfall in the area over the weekend helped reduce fire behaviour at Mount Underwood, and another 8 millimetres of rain fell on the blaze on Tuesday.

The fire is still listed as out of control, but the service says the fire is not expected to grow beyond its 36-square-kilometres size.

There are about 60 active wildfires burning across B.C., with only one started in the last 24 hours while 55 have been declared out in the last week.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout- BC Wildfire Service