Mount Jack fire near Sooke grows to 276 hectares, ‘light rain’ forecast
Published 10:02 am Thursday, September 24, 2026
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
The “out of control” Mount Jack wildfire near Sooke continues to grow.
An update from the BC Wildfire Service Thursday morning (Sept. 24) listed the human-caused fire as 276.19 hectares.
The service said there has been “some modest growth” over the last 24 hours, mainly to the east, driven by prevailing winds, slope and dry fuels.
“The east flank remains the most active portion of the fire,” they said.
Recent fire behaviour, including this morning, is considered to “Rank 1 to 2,” which the service describes as a “low vigor surface fire with some open flame.”
First discovered Sept. 20, the fire was first said to be two hectares. Fuelled by warm, dry and windy conditions, the fire – which is located four kilometres west of Sooke River, south of Mount Jack – has continued to burn.
Upwards of 60 ground personnel, with support from heavy equipment and bucketing helicopters, are tackling the wildfire today.
Smoke remains visible to communities in the Greater Victoria and South Cowichan Valley area.
BC Wildfire Service has said it hopes forecasted cooler temperatures and rain will help moderate fire behaviour and support suppression efforts.
“Today and tomorrow, we will experience a slight downturn in conditions, cooler temperatures, and possible light rain in the area, followed by some drying over the weekend,” they said. “However, we are in a more fall-like weather pattern, with much shorter days and longer nights, along with better overnight recoveries of relative humidity.”
Currently, the service says the wildfire is not currently a threat to structures, critical infrastructure, or public safety.
As a precaution, the Capital Regional District (CRD) has closed access to Kapoor Regional Park and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail northbound at kilometre 52, at the Spring Salmon Place Campground.
Visitors have been asked to avoid the area.
The CRD also said, based on the current size and location of the wildfire, there is no threat to the Regional Water Supply Area or to the region’s drinking water quality.
While milder weather conditions are expected, the CRD has reminded people that the wildfire risk remains high or extreme in many parts of the region because of extended warm, dry weather.
“The CRD asks that everyone continue to help protect natural areas by using their park etiquette and doing their part to prevent wildfires,” they said in a Wednesday update. “This means packing out any trash, including glass, always staying on sanctioned trails, and most of all never smoking or having campfires in parks.”
A district-wide fire ban also remains in effect across the District of Sooke due to extreme conditions.