Six New Wildfires on Southern Vancouver Island

After all the lightning across Vancouver Island last night, we're now seeing the results.

Six new fires are burning on southern Vancouver Island as of Sunday morning.

The new wildfires appeared on the BC Wildfire Service map following the lightning storm that moved through the Island overnight Saturday.

The lightning map from 9pm Saturday really puts this into perspective. Hundreds of strikes were recorded across the region, including through the same general areas where these new fires are now appearing.

BC Wildfire Service says the storm increased the potential for lightning-caused wildfires, and crews have been assessing affected areas for new starts.

They're also warning that additional lightning-caused wildfires may be identified over the coming hours and days. (Sometimes the lightning causes underground tree roots to smoulder for days after the tree was struck, and eventually ignite)

Some of the areas where these fires are burning are extremely dry right now, so BCWS will be keeping a very close eye on them

The TIVFD was out on Sunday early for several 9-1-1 calls from people on Vancouver Island seeing smoke columns on Thetis. We had one member hike up Burchell Hill and others search different areas for smoke or the smell of smoke. We even put a drone up. Fortunately, nothing was found, but we very much appreciate the support.

We did have several lightning strikes to trees on Thetis Saturday night, but no lasting fires occurred. The downpour helped immensely. We attended a tree strike at the end of Pilkey Point Road at around 11 pm and it was checked again Sunday morning.

If you're anywhere on southern Vancouver Island and you're seeing smoke, let BCWS know roughly where you saw the smoke column. Call *5555 on a cell phone or 9-1-1.

From BC Wildfire Service messaging

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.