Episode Details

Vancouver Island’s wildfire season is off the charts this year—with 154 fires already reported, up from 54 last year. But here’s the twist: the actual land burned is way down, at just 286 hectares compared to over 4,000 last year—thanks mostly to two massive fires from 2025. Of this year’s blazes, 77 were sparked by lightning, 68 by humans, and 9 are still under investigation. Right now, 14 fires are active across the island, with smaller ones like the 0.2-hectare blaze near Lake Cowichan already contained. Tragically, one woman lost her life trying to escape a fire, and the province declared a state of emergency in August over a Summerland blaze—though that’s now lifted. While off-road vehicle bans have been lifted in the Coastal Fire Centre due to improving weather, campfires and backyard burning remain restricted. The good news? Cooler temps and a chance of rain are on the way by Tuesday, offering much-needed relief after a volatile summer.

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