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.

However, for the small coastal resort community of Bamfield — with its main road cut off by the blaze — the most vital part of the summer tourist season threatens to be a washout.

Bamfield and the neighbouring Huu-ay-aht First Nation community of Anacla aren’t at any physical risk of the fire, burning approximately 50 kilometres northeast of the community, but they are bearing the brunt of its effects.

Both communities lost power and the Bamfield Road from Port Alberni has been shut since the fire started in the afternoon of August 11, leaving resorts, restaurants, campgrounds, fishing guides and water taxi

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