BC Wildfire Service says a new fire, as shown in this handout photo, which was discovered Sunday on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is burning out of control. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout-BC Wildfire Service.

By The Canadian Press

fall wildfires

New wildfires spark on Vancouver Island

Sep 22, 2026 | 9:16 AM

SOOKE — The BC Wildfire Service says two new fires are burning out of control on Vancouver Island.

One is located approximately 50 kilometres west of Nanaimo, northeast of Cowichan Lake, and was 12 hectares in size as of Monday, Sept. 21, and was first discovered on Saturday, with humans the suspected cause.

The wildfire is located near the 16 km mark of the Nitinat Forest Service Road, and is burning in steep, remote terrain, according to the BC Wildfire Service, and does not pose a risk to public safety or critical infrastructure at this time.

The service also said in a social media post that crews are also responding to the Mount Jack wildfire, which is burning about four kilometres west of Sooke River and south of Mount Jack.

It says the fire was discovered late Sunday and has grown to a 1/2 square kilometre amid warm and dry conditions.

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The service says smoke from the fire can be seen as far north as Shawnigan Lake and in Greater Victoria.

Crews are working to contain the flames, but the service says further growth of the fire can be expected.

The service says the wildfire does not currently pose a threat to public safety nor critical infrastructure.

While the wildfire season is winding down, there are still more than 100 fires burning across the province and four of them are considered out of control.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

New wildfires spark on Vancouver Island

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