A cluster of new wildfires has been reported across northern Vancouver Island, including several fires in the region north of Gold River and additional lightning-caused fires near Sayward.

Three new wildfires were discovered Friday evening in the Sayward area, contributing to a total of nine active wildfires reported across Vancouver Island at the time. The fires were believed to have been sparked by lightning during recent thunderstorms.

The new activity came just a day after four other small wildfires were discovered north of Gold River.

According to reports, the four fires north of Gold River were discovered Thursday, Aug. 13. Three were clustered in the area north of Gold Muchalat Park, while another was located between Gold Muchalat Park and Strathcona Provincial Park. Each was estimated at approximately 0.009 hectares.

All four Gold River-area fires were listed as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service. The fires were in relatively remote terrain, and wildfire crews and aircraft were being used to assess and respond to the new starts. Reports identified lightning as the suspected cause of the three fires in the Gold River area, while the cause of the fourth remained under investigation.

The concentration of new fires follows a period of thunderstorms and dry lightning across parts of Vancouver Island. While many of the newly reported fires remain very small, their locations in forested areas are being closely monitored because conditions remain favourable for fire growth.

The latest activity also adds to a growing number of fires being tracked across the Island. At the time of the reports, two other Vancouver Island wildfires were listed as being held, while the new starts near Gold River and elsewhere remained under active monitoring.

For residents in Sayward and surrounding communities, the developments are a reminder that lightning can create new wildfire starts well after a storm has passed. Smoke or a wildfire spotted in the backcountry should be reported promptly to the BC Wildfire Service.

The situation remains fluid, with wildfire conditions and fire status subject to change as crews assess the new incidents.

Three people have been arrested following a drug-trafficking investigation in Port McNeill that resulted in the seizure of suspected illicit drugs, firearms, cash, contraband tobacco and vehicles.

The investigation was conducted by the Port McNeill RCMP in partnership with the Island District General Investigation Section (GIS). Police executed multiple search warrants at residences and vehicles in the North Island area as investigators gathered evidence related to suspected drug trafficking.

Among the items seized were more than $100,000 in cash, approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine and significant quantities of suspected ketamine. Police also seized three firearms and more than 100 cartons of contraband tobacco, along with vehicles believed to be connected to the investigation.

Port McNeill RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Erin Stevenson described the seizures as a significant disruption to suspected drug-trafficking activity in the region. The combination of drugs, cash and firearms, police said, demonstrates the serious nature of the criminal activity under investigation.

Investigation Spanned the North Island

The investigation involved coordinated work between local RCMP officers and the Island District GIS, with search warrants carried out at multiple locations and involving vehicles connected to the investigation.

The arrests and seizures are part of ongoing efforts by police to identify and disrupt drug-trafficking networks operating in smaller communities across Vancouver Island.

Police have not indicated that charges have been finalized against the three people arrested. As the investigation continues, the circumstances surrounding the suspects and the seized property remain subject to the criminal justice process.

A Broader Pattern of Drug-Trafficking Investigations

The Port McNeill seizure follows other significant drug-trafficking investigations on Vancouver Island.

In February 2025, Port Alberni RCMP executed search warrants at two residences with assistance from the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services, BC Highway Patrol and the Integrated Impaired Driving Unit. Three Port Alberni residents—two men and one woman—were arrested, and police seized a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs, cash and contraband cigarettes. That investigation was separate from the current Port McNeill case.

More recently, a four-day police deployment on southern Vancouver Island in early 2026 involved the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia working alongside West Shore RCMP, Saanich police and Victoria police. The operation generated more than 27 investigative files, resulted in seven arrests and led to the seizure of approximately $14,500 in cash and about one kilogram of suspected illicit drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

The latest Port McNeill investigation adds another significant seizure to that broader picture, with more than $100,000 in cash and multiple firearms recovered alongside suspected drugs.

For North Island communities, the investigation is another reminder that organized drug trafficking is not limited to major urban centres. Police continue to rely on investigations, search warrants and cooperation between specialized units to identify those believed to be involved in the distribution of illicit drugs.

The Port McNeill investigation remains ongoing.

A 32-year-old Saanich woman who had been missing for more than two weeks has been found safe near Woss Lake, after searchers received reports that she may have been seen at a local boat launch.

Taisia Verbitchi was located Sunday on the eastern shore of Woss Lake, about five kilometres from the Woss Lake Campground, according to Campbell River Search and Rescue manager Daryl Beck.

Search crews had initially focused on the eastern side of the lake after Verbitchi was dropped off in the area on July 22.

She was last known to have been walking away from a forest service road carrying a backpack with a sleeping mat attached to the side. Verbitchi had reportedly told others she planned to camp with friends on the west side of Woss Lake, north of Woss Lake Park.

Saanich police issued a public appeal for information Friday after Verbitchi was reported missing.

The following day, about 15 search-and-rescue members searched trails and shoreline areas near where she was last seen.

Crews used ATVs, side-by-sides, search dogs and drones, while police conducted an aerial search of the lake.

According to Beck, RCMP asked search crews to stand down around 5 p.m. Saturday, although police continued searching the following day.

Verbitchi was eventually spotted from a boat by a conservation officer on Sunday. Beck said she was found roughly five kilometres from the Woss Lake Campground along the eastern shoreline.

“Somehow, she got from the west side of the lake where she was last seen to the east side,” Beck said.

Beck added that she was located about one kilometre outside one of the search zones that crews had planned for the eastern side of the lake.

Members of the Woss community had previously reported possible sightings of Verbitchi near a boat launch, although it remains unclear how she travelled to the remote area where she was found.

Verbitchi’s mother, Aliona Verbitchi, who lives in Alberta, said she is grateful to everyone who helped in the effort to locate her daughter.

A report submitted to the House of Commons heritage committee says the federal Online News Act contributed to a loss of credible local news on Facebook during wildfire emergencies, with rural communities particularly affected.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia, examined how the disappearance of Canadian news content from Facebook affected communities during wildfire events.

The report, When Good Intentions Cause Harm: The Online News Act, Meta’s News Ban And Public Safety During Wildfire Emergencies, focuses on several B.C. communities and looks at the impact of Meta’s decision to block Canadian news content from Facebook and Instagram.

The move followed the federal government’s passage of Bill C-18, also known as the Online News Act. The legislation was intended to require major digital platforms to negotiate compensation agreements with Canadian news organizations for news content shared on their services.

Meta opposed the legislation and subsequently blocked news content from its platforms in Canada.

According to the UBC researchers, the change had significant consequences in smaller and rural communities, where Facebook had become an important source of information during emergencies.

The researchers argued that the loss of local journalism was especially problematic during wildfires, when residents need timely and trustworthy information about evacuation orders, alerts, road closures and other developments.

“Rural B.C. communities lost access to credible journalism at the precise moment they needed it most,” the researchers wrote, arguing that the situation had implications for public safety, public trust and compliance with emergency directions.

The report found that the removal of professional news coverage did not result in Facebook becoming an information-free environment. Instead, posts from individuals continued to circulate, with researchers arguing that emotionally charged content could receive greater attention and contribute to anger, speculation and conspiracy theories.

Researchers attributed the information gap to several factors, including declining trust in institutions, social media algorithms and the loss of professional journalism from Facebook.

The report also raised concerns about the changing nature of mainstream wildfire coverage. With fewer local journalists available to provide on-the-ground reporting and established relationships with communities, news organizations were increasingly reliant on government agencies and other official sources.

According to the researchers, this could result in coverage that focused heavily on whether residents were following emergency instructions rather than documenting the experiences and concerns of people directly affected by wildfires.

The findings point to what researchers described as an unintended consequence of the Online News Act. While the legislation was intended to address the financial challenges facing Canadian journalism, particularly those created by changes in the digital advertising market, its implementation was followed by the removal of Canadian news from one of the country’s most widely used social media platforms.

The report has renewed discussion about the role of local journalism in rural communities and how residents receive critical information during emergencies.

The findings were first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter, an independent Canadian news organization that has opposed the Online News Act. The outlet has argued that the legislation represents federal intervention in Canada’s news market and says it did not seek or accept payments made available through the legislation.

Police are asking for the public’s help locating a 32-year-old Saanich woman who has been missing since she was dropped off near Woss more than two weeks ago.

Saanich Police say Taisa Verbitchi was last seen shortly before 7 p.m. on July 22, when she was dropped off at the end of West Woss Road. She had planned to camp in the Woss area.

More than two weeks have now passed since Verbitchi was last seen, and police are appealing to anyone who may have been travelling through the area or spending time outdoors near Woss to come forward with information.

The remote North Island area is surrounded by extensive forests, lakes, backroads and recreational areas, and police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have encountered Verbitchi or seen her while travelling in the region.

According to information released by Saanich Police, Verbitchi is 32 years old. Police have released her photograph as part of the search and are asking anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact investigators.

The circumstances surrounding her disappearance have not been publicly detailed, and police have not indicated that a criminal investigation is underway.

Anyone who may have information that could help establish Verbitchi’s movements after she was dropped off near West Woss Road is asked to contact Saanich Police.

Police are urging anyone who was camping, hiking, driving forestry roads or otherwise travelling through the Woss area around July 22 or in the days afterward to consider whether they may have information that could assist the investigation.

Saanich Police continue to list the case as an active missing-person investigation.

The wildfire situation on Vancouver Island continued to improve Saturday, with two more fires declared out by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

While wildfire activity is escalating across much of British Columbia, prompting new evacuation orders and alerts, conditions on Vancouver Island have eased. By Saturday evening, the number of active fires had declined and several blazes had been brought under control.

The North Island now has one wildfire burning out of control, two being held, one under control and one declared out. On southern Vancouver Island, two fires remain under control, while the Sooke wildfire has now been declared out.

Of the eight wildfires reported on the Island this week, six are believed to have been caused by lightning, one is suspected to be human-caused, and the cause of the Sooke fire remains under investigation.

North Island Wildfires

Out of Control

The only wildfire still classified as out of control is located northwest of Strathcona Provincial Park (V81131). The fire was discovered Thursday and remains approximately 0.009 hectares in size. BCWS says the size is based on the most current information available.

Lightning is believed to have sparked the blaze.

Being Held

The Island’s largest wildfire, burning near Kalpit Lake southwest of Woss and Highway 19 (V91091), has been downgraded from out of control to being held.

Discovered on July 21, the fire covers approximately 6.3 hectares. BCWS says it has shown minimal growth in recent days, poses no threat to critical infrastructure, and is currently burning as a combination of smouldering ground fire and low-intensity surface fire. Ground crews and aircraft continue suppression efforts.

A second wildfire being held is at Chute Creek (V81185), west of Highway 19 between Courtenay and Campbell River. The fire was discovered Friday and was initially reported as out of control before crews contained it. It remains about 0.009 hectares in size and is believed to have been human-caused.

Under Control

The Holiday Creek wildfire (V91099), west of the Strathcona Provincial Park Northern Woodlands, remains under control. Discovered July 22, the lightning-caused fire measures approximately 0.009 hectares, with suppression efforts continuing to prevent further spread.

Declared Out

The wildfire at the northern tip of Strathcona Provincial Park Northern Woodlands (V81137) was declared out Saturday evening.

The lightning-caused fire was discovered on July 23 and had been listed as being held earlier in the day before crews successfully extinguished it.

South Island Wildfires

Declared Out

The wildfire near Sooke (V61174), discovered Friday, has now been declared out. The fire reached approximately 0.009 hectares before being contained. Investigators are still working to determine its cause.

Under Control

The wildfire near Bear Mountain and Goldstream Provincial Park (V61138), discovered July 23, remains under control at approximately 0.009 hectares. Lightning is believed to be the cause.

The fire has prompted the temporary closure of Prospector’s Trail in Goldstream Provincial Park while suppression operations continue.

Another lightning-caused wildfire near Shawnigan Lake (V61135) also remains under control. The 0.1-hectare fire was discovered Wednesday, with ground crews and aircraft continuing to monitor the area. BCWS says there is no immediate threat to public safety or critical infrastructure.

Wildfire Activity Growing Across B.C.

Although conditions on Vancouver Island have improved, wildfire activity continues to intensify across British Columbia.

The province now has more than 120 active wildfires, including 24 new fires discovered over the past 24 hours. Nearly half are burning out of control.

BC Wildfire Service says warm, dry weather and strong winds continue to fuel aggressive fire behaviour across southern B.C., creating difficult conditions for firefighters and contributing to expanding evacuation orders and alerts.

Officials say protecting both firefighters and the public remains the top priority.

Residents are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of wildfire, even if there is no immediate threat to their community. BCWS recommends registering for local emergency notifications and discussing evacuation plans with household members before an emergency occurs.