Three wildfires continue to burn on Vancouver Island, despite an improvement of conditions. Fire officials have removed a ban on off-road vehicles, while campfire and other open fire prohibitions remain. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

fire season

Off-road vehicle ban removed, open fire bans remain for Coastal Fire Centre

Aug 28, 2026 | 10:16 AM

NANAIMO — A moderate improvement in conditions across the region has led officials to lift some restrictions in place for fire safety.

Effective at noon on Friday, Aug. 28, a partial ban on off-road vehicles on Crown land will be lifted.

Implemented Aug. 10, the ban applied to all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and off-road side-by-side vehicles on public property in the backcountry, with fire officials citing engines as a source of potential fire ignition during a tinder-dry summer.

Other restrictions pertaining to off-road and all-terrain vehicles still apply, including relevant municipal or regional government bylaws.

Also still remaining in place are category one, two, and three open fire bans, preventing campfires as well as using items like fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, or burn barrels.

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“While conditions have improved, we urge recreators to remain vigilant and follow all wildfire prevention regulations when engaging in any activity that could spark a wildfire,” the Coastal Fire Centre noted in a release.

As of Friday, Aug. 28, three fires remain out of control on Vancouver Island, all along the spine of the Island west and northwest of Campbell River.

The Tlools Creek wildfire is 38 hectares in size and is being monitored by the Coastal Fire Centre, but not actively being fought, as the fire is burning in steep terrain.

An unnamed 79.4-hectare fire is burning kilometres to the northwest of Tlools Creek and is seeing crews establish control lines.

The Misery Creek fire is listed at 18.3 hectares in size and is burning approximately 30 kilometres from the community of Sayward.

Coastal Fire Centre staff continue to monitor the fire but are not actively suppressing it.

All three are well away from critical infrastructure and are not threatening communities.

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Off-road vehicle ban removed, open fire bans remain for Coastal Fire Centre

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