Rain has arrived on Vancouver Island, where an out of control wildfire has been burning for several days.

The Mount Underwood wildfire, south of Port Alberni, B.C., covers about 34.06 square kilometres (3,406 hectares), according to the B.C. Wildfire Service's latest information Friday morning. It has forced evacuations, prompted local states of emergency and caused power outages throughout the area since it was discovered on Monday.

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 weather agency says.

"We have a favourable forecast, which is really great news," B.C. Wildfire Service spokesperson Stefan Hood said Thursday.

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