Is Vancouver Island ready for wildfire season?

Vancouver Island is facing an increasingly precarious wildfire season, with less than half the normal snowpack, below-average precipitation, and rising temperatures setting the stage for a dangerous fire season. Despite preparations, experts and community leaders warn that the island remains underprepared—especially in communication, resource allocation, and infrastructure readiness. Judith Sayers of the New Channel Tribal Council emphasizes the urgent need for better coordination between First Nations, regional districts, and provincial agencies, citing long delays in evacuation updates and insufficient firefighting personnel. Meanwhile, Nick Accovatti, fire chief in Dashwood, highlights the lifesaving impact of proactive community planning, including FireSmart assessments and local task forces, which helped protect homes during last year’s devastating fires. The episode reveals a growing consensus: wildfire is no longer a rare threat but a 'new normal,' demanding systemic changes in building codes, emergency response, and public communication. The real danger isn’t just the fire—it’s the failure to act before it starts.