Vancouver Island wildfire grows by more than half, rain is on the way

PORT ALBERNI — The wildfire that has triggered evacuation orders and alerts on south-central Vancouver Island has grown to more than 34 square kilometres, about 58 per cent larger than what it was the day before.

The BC Wildfire Service says the measurement of the Mount Underwood fire, 12 kilometres south of Port Alberni, B.C., may change again once crews can get a better look, either by helicopter or from the ground, as both are limited because of the thick smoke produced by the blaze.

The billowing smoke has prompted Environment Canada to expand an air quality advisory to the northern Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast, with a bulletin from the agency saying smoke will be heaviest on eastern Vancouver Island, Texada Island and Powell River on the Sunshine Coast.

An update from the BC Wil