August 6,2025
RED FM News Desk
Summer storms across British Columbia triggered nearly 70,000 lightning strikes over the past week, sparking a rise in wildfires, officials announced during a Wednesday afternoon update.
As of Wednesday morning, there were 120 active wildfires across the province, including 12 new ones in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, 27 fires have been declared out.
“So far this year, just over 850 wildfires have started,” said B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar. “By comparison, at this time last year, we had slightly over 1,000.”
One of the more significant fires, the Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island, has grown to 538 hectares. However, Parmar noted it is just one of many being tackled by crews. Over the past week alone, more than 85 air tanker missions have been carried out, and initial attack teams have successfully contained many fires before they could spread.
Thanks to the swift and effective efforts of the B.C. Wildfire Service and local fire crews, 85 per cent of wildfires this season have been kept to four hectares or less.
However, not all risks are due to natural causes. Over the weekend, the Conservation Officer Service issued 26 violation tickets for illegal campfires in the Coastal Fire Centre — an issue Parmar called “unacceptable,” warning that such actions endanger lives and communities.
Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations for the B.C. Wildfire Service, said the regions at greatest risk of further wildfire activity include Vancouver Island, the northeast, and the mainland coast.
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