A number of small lightning-caused wildfires sprung up in central Vancouver Island over the long weekend. The Coastal Fire Centre says there is no need for concern. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Jordan Davidson

no danger

‘There’s no risk:’ lightning-ignited wildfires reported in Strathcona Provincial Park

Aug 8, 2023 | 3:00 PM

NANAIMO — Coastal Fire Centre crews are closely watching several new lightning-caused wildfires in rural sections of northern Vancouver Island.

Five new small fires in Strathcona Provincial Park southeast of Gold River were sparked on Sunday evening, caused by passing lightning storms, according to fire information officer Nick Donnelly.

Four fires are clustered together and another one further west, all in high-terrain areas, Donnelly told NanaimoNewsNOW.

“Those are all quite small, and due to the high elevation, they don’t have much fuel to really take off, so at this point for those it’s a modified response. They’re continuing to monitor it, but at this point, there’s no risk to any critical infrastructure or risk to people’s safety.”

As of the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 8, all five of the fires were well under a hectare in size, but still listed as out-of-control.

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Donnelly said a number of wildfires were sparked due to weekend lightning in the northern and central areas of the Island, but most don’t require any action at this time.

“One north of Gold River that we had an initial attack crew go out and suppress it, and that one is now under control. There’s plans to continue some patrolling in the area just to see if there are any new fires that haven’t yet been discovered that might spark up.”

At least five wildfires in Strathcona Provincial Park ignited over the weekend due to lightning. (BC Wildfire Service Wildfire Map)

Compared to other areas of the province, the wildfire season on Vancouver Island has been relatively calm, with recent bits of rain and cooler weather aiding elevated drought conditions.

However, Donnelly said there hasn’t been enough rain to move the Island out of drought level five, which is the most severe.

Despite some rain in the immediate forecast, hot and dry conditions are expected to return by the weekend.

“We will hope that we continue to get more rain to take us out of those drought conditions that we have experienced since last year. Fire prohibition remains, so we just continue to be safe out there. No campfires, avoid any human-caused fires because we do expect to get more lightning and natural caused fires as the season goes on.”

The forest fire threat in the north Island area, including Strathcona Provincial Park, is currently listed as low, while the threat for most of the mid-Island area is high.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow