Wildfires surge as B.C. records 11,000 lightning strikes, but rain helps in battle
Crews had already held or controlled 75% of the new blazes as more than 7,000 lightning strikes hit the province, officials said.
- On Sunday, August 23, 2026, the BC Wildfire Service reported that more than 7,000 lightning strikes sparked 57 new wildfires across British Columbia during a subtropical weather system.
- Hot temperatures and widespread thunderstorms from the subtropical system ignited fires across southern BCWS fire centres throughout the night of August 22-23.
- Provincial records show 179 active wildfires as of Sunday afternoon, including 71 new ignitions reported within 24 hours, though substantial rainfall helped crews contain many fires quickly.
- Vancouver International Airport suspended departures from 9:30 p.m. Saturday until 2:55 a.m. Sunday, cancelling 50 flights as the lightning storm forced a lengthy operational red alert.
- Hot, dry, and windy conditions returning this week could trigger 'holdover fires' that smoulder undetected before developing into visible blazes, the BCWS warns.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Heat returns after wild Vancouver storm before weather cools off
Everyone was talking about the bright and thunderous Vancouver storm on Saturday, but the heat will be making a comeback before temperatures cool off even more than they did over the weekend. It won’t be quite as hot as it was last week, but the cooler weekend weather will be a distant memory later today as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) expects inland temperatures in Metro Vancouver to rise to 27°C. Humidex values will make the te…
Chemainus Valley Courier
Severe lightning storm sparks wildfires in Cowichan
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Lightning storms spark more than 65 new wildfires across B.C.
The BC Wildfire Service says 67 new wildfires were sparked across British Columbia in the past 24 hours as a result of a widespread subtropical weather system that brought hot temperatures and significant lightning activity.
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