Vancouver Island was bombarded by more than 1,000 lightning strikes over a 20-hour period on Wednesday and Thursday, igniting 10 fires. And there could be more today.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said some storm and lightning activity is expected to pass through the north and central Island today, along with wind.
“Holdover fires” remain a threat even after large lightning events have passed, the wildfire service said.
Fires are started by lightning hitting a tree or other fuel and smouldering for several days. The hot spots can ignite with winds and continued high temperatures, said Gordon Robinson, spokesman for the B.C. Wildfire Service.
He said helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were monitoring the fires on the Island, and were looking out for additional starts.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning with lightning over a vast swath of the Interior on Thursday.
Robinson said all of the fires on the Island remain small — about one hectare — and crews have moved into each area. Most of the fires are in remote locations, including Strathcona Park. One fire is about three kilometres southwest of Bamfield and another close to Nitinat Lake.
Robinson said no structures were in immediate danger at either location. Crews were on the ground at both sites on Thursday. “At this time, there are initial attack crews, response officers and helicopters in each area where we have had new starts,” said Robinson.
He could not provide an accurate number of firefighting personnel assigned on the Island, saying it depends on the rotation of crews to and from the mainland as well as crews rotating through standby or rest days.
The Coastal fire region, which includes the Island, has five 20-person crews (one on the Island) and 22 three- or four-person initial attack crews (12 on the Island), as well as response officers and other staff.
“At any given time, some of those crews could be in other centres and crews from other centres could be here based on the fire situation,” said Robinson. Contract crews, specialists and local fire departments can be called on when needed, he said. “Once these [Island] fires are under control or out, some crews will be sent to harder hit parts of the province again.”
The Island is under a campfire ban and has placed other restrictions on burning amid extremely dry conditions and the high risk of wildfires.
The wildfire service is urging people to report when they see a fire or smoke. “It makes a big difference to get fire reports early,” Robinson said.
Wildfires can be reported by calling *5555 or 1-800-663-5555.
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