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Rain Eases B.C. Wildfires as Newfoundland Battles Its Largest Blaze With Federal Support

Forecasted weekend heat, dry lightning threaten to reverse recent containment gains on Vancouver Island

An evacuees pours a coffee at the Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services as volunteers await to provide food and other services for evacuees while in the parking lot of the Qualicum Civic Centre in Qualicum Beach, B.C., Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Traffic leaves the area along highway 4 below the Wesley Ridge wildfire at Cameron Lake near Coombs, B.C., on Sunday, August 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A helicopter refills a bucket of water at Cameron Lake off Highway 4 where the Wesley Ridge wildfire continues to burn out-of-control near Coombs, B.C., on Sunday, August 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Dartmouth's Shubie Park is shown closed on Wednesday. Mitchell Bailey

Overview

  • Cooler, wetter conditions in British Columbia have reduced active wildfires to just over 100, with more than 160 blazes declared out in the past week.
  • The Wesley Ridge fire near Cameron Lake covers about 5.7 square kilometres; crews have built helipads and fuel-free lines in steep terrain, and firefighters report no structures lost so far.
  • Approximately 300 addresses on Vancouver Island remain under evacuation orders and over 350 more are on evacuation alerts as crews work to strengthen containment.
  • Forecasts for rising temperatures accompanied by dry lightning and elevated winds this weekend raise concerns of intensified fire activity across burning areas.
  • In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Kingston fire has grown to about 2,875 hectares, spurring mass evacuations, Canadian Armed Forces and Coast Guard support, and new fines up to $150,000 with potential jail sentences for fire-ban breaches.