Victoria firefighters beg residents to stop having beach fires as weather heats up in B.C.

Firefighters in B.C.'s capital are pleading with residents to stop having beach fires as summer approaches — along with some hot, dry weather this week. 

In a social media post, the Victoria Firefighters Association said the local department was called to a fire along Dallas Road over the weekend, where a large pile of driftwood was burning on the beach. Because of the size of the fire and the steep terrain down to the shore, it was difficult for firefighters to access, and they were forced to drag a 180-metre hose line down the bank.

"This is just a far too common occurrence for us," fire Chief Dan Atkinson said during an interview on CBC's All Points West. 

"One of the things about the beach fires, there is a desire sometimes for people to want to seek out private areas or areas that are a little bit more difficult to access. That makes our job just that much more difficult." 

Atkinson said the department is using the fire as an opportunity to remind people that beach fires are not permitted within City of Victoria boundaries, period.

The city said its firefighters respond to more than 200 beach fires annually, and anyone caught having a beach fire faces a fine of up to $2,000.

Anyone who sees a beach fire burning is asked to contact the fire department immediately, Atkinson said. 

The plea from Victoria's firefighters comes as parts of the province experience significant drought conditions and many areas prepare for hot temperatures over the next few days.

Provincial fire situation

On Monday, the B.C. Wildfire Service issued a report forecasting hot, dry and windy weather for most of B.C. by Wednesday, adding that fires may be started by lightning strikes. 

The service is also warning residents to be cautious when it comes to activities that could contribute to wildfire starts, including campfires. 

As of Tuesday, there are several fire restrictions in effect for parts of B.C. Thirty-nine active wildfires are burning throughout the province, most of which are located in the northeast.

Most of 2025's wildfires have been human-caused. In B.C., a human-caused wildfire is defined as any blaze that isn't caused by lightning.