Lightning was visible for over an hour through Nanaimo, with several more strikes further inland Sunday evening. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

stormy skies

Sunday lightning storm sparks several new wildfires, including one west of Nanaimo

Sep 1, 2025 | 10:18 AM

NANAIMO — A significant lightning storm has sparked a handful of new, very small, wildfires up the spine of Vancouver Island.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of west and central Vancouver Island, however lightning was visible throughout much of Nanaimo and Oceanside well into the evening of Sunday, Aug. 31.

Multiple ground strikes were reported throughout the afternoon and evening hours, resulting in a number of new fire starts.

Mapping from the BC Wildfire Service shows five new fire starts, all lightning caused, as of 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 1, including a small 0.1 hectare fire around 30 kilometres west of Nanaimo.

No update has come from the BC Wildfire Service since it was first reported around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

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Four more were west of Campbell River, well inland.

Lightning strikes and danger areas recorded Sunday night. (Environment Canada)

The five starts may not be all from Sunday’s storm.

Energy from lightning strikes can remain in the ground for several days and smoke or embers may not surface right away.

Anyone who spots smoke and believe it to be from a wildfire is asked to report it to the BC Wildfire Service by 1 800 663-5555 or (*5555 from a cell phone).

Little rain has fallen in recent weeks, resulting in extremely dry conditions across much of Vancouver Island.

Temperatures are expected to be in the high 20s until at least midweek.

Fire starts on Vancouver Island in red, including one west of Nanaimo, were sparked by lightning Sunday evening. (BC Wildfire Service)

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Sunday lightning storm sparks several new wildfires, including one west of Nanaimo

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