B.C. Wildfire Season Heats Up Again After Brief Reprieve
After a short break brought on by light rain and increased humidity, wildfire activity in British Columbia is expected to ramp up again, with hotter, drier conditions forecast for the weekend. As of Thursday, nearly 110 wildfires remain active across the province, with emergency officials warning that no region is entirely safe from the threat.
The Wesley Ridge fire, burning on Vancouver Island near Cameron Lake, has grown to 571 hectares, though overnight activity has been minimal. Cooler weather and a brief 1.4 millimetres of rain earlier in the week allowed firefighters to advance suppression efforts, particularly near residential areas. A total of 185 firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which authorities suspect is human-caused and currently under investigation.
“While we are expecting rain, we are in a significant drought,” said Madison Dahl, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service. She added that despite modest improvements, fire conditions remain extremely dry.
The Regional District of Nanaimo has partially lifted about a third of its evacuation orders, allowing some residents to return home. However, officials emphasize that the fire risk remains, particularly with temperatures expected to reach 33°C by Sunday. Other evacuation orders and alerts — particularly in Lytton and surrounding First Nations communities — were also rescinded or downgraded following progress on containment.
Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations at the BCWS, said the current cooling and dampness only provide short-term relief. “It resets our conditions, but only at a very micro scale,” he explained, noting that B.C.’s southern and northeastern regions remain highly vulnerable as dry weather returns.
Chapman also warned that recent fire seasons have lacked any major “season-ending rain event,” forcing crews to rely instead on the natural seasonal shift from summer into fall and winter. In many areas, particularly the northeast, recent rain hasn’t been enough to significantly reduce risk.
The long weekend saw enforcement challenges as well. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service issued nearly $30,000 in fines to individuals violating campfire bans, underscoring the ongoing need for public cooperation during the high-risk fire season.
Despite the growing threat, there has been progress: more than 160 wildfires were declared extinguished over the past week. Still, officials are urging residents to remain prepared, develop household emergency plans, and stay informed as conditions change.
“We know that we still have challenging weeks ahead,” said Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene during Wednesday’s press briefing. “The province remains committed to supporting people.”
Highlights:
110 wildfires remain active across B.C.
Wesley Ridge Fire has grown to 571 hectares, but is showing minimal activity.
185 firefighters are battling the blaze near Cameron Lake.
$30,000 in fines issued over the long weekend for campfire violations.
1.4 mm of rain fell on Wesley Ridge; conditions remain extremely dry.
Evacuation orders lifted for parts of Vancouver Island and Lytton area.
Temperatures forecast to rise to 33°C by Sunday.
More than 160 fires extinguished province-wide in the past week.
Reference: cbc.ca
