The threat from a wildfire that engulfed a mountain in western Canada was downgraded Wednesday, with local officials saying there was "no longer a risk to life and safety" in the area.

The Mount Underwood fire on Vancouver Island was one of several major blazes this summer in Canada, which is enduring its second worst wildfire season, based on data going back to 1983.

Nearly 20,000 people in the city of Port Alberni, in British Columbia province, had been on standby to evacuate for more than a week.

"We are deeply relieved that the fire has not grown and, with that stability, are rescinding the evacuation alert," Port Alberni's Mayor Sharie Minions said in a statement.

"This has been a challenging event," she added.

Across Canada, 7.6 million hectares (18.8 million acres) have been sc

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