More fire starts are expected in the days ahead as a result of a considerable lightning event on Monday. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Alex Rawnsley

light show

Overnight lightning sparks 18 new fires across Vancouver Island

Aug 29, 2023 | 12:41 PM

NANAIMO — Crews from the Coastal Fire Centre are assessing the impact of a late-night thunderstorm which rolled across the region.

Thousands of lightning flashes were reported across the Centre’s jurisdiction beginning late Monday, Aug. 28 and continuing into Tuesday. Flashes were clearly visible around the central Island most of the night with rolling thunder waking up some.

Fire information officer Jennifer Lohmeyer said 18 new fire starts are being attributed to the weather event, now among 28 active fires burning on Vancouver Island.

“We’re expecting the lightning to move onto the mainland today, but we know that we may see some holdover fires…when a fire lies dormant say in a tree for a period of time before it reaches the surface.”

Recorded lightning strikes from Noon Monday, Aug. 28 through the following 24 hours. (LightningMaps.org)

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Most of the new starts are along the spine of the Island and to the north.

One fire being reported Tuesday morning is roughly 35 kilometres southwest of Nanaimo, east of Jump Lake, and is listed as being less than 0.01 hectares in size.

Lohmeyer said the strikes did come with some rainfall, but it doesn’t mean conditions have dramatically changed.

“While we did receive some precipitation, drought conditions persist and the fire danger rating does remain extreme to high throughout most of the Coastal Fire Centre.”

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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