Published by Gulf Island Driftwood on June 30, 2026
BY TRANSITION SALT SPRING
Results from the recent Salt Spring Island Community Wildfire Survey showed that residents are increasingly concerned about hotter, drier summers and the wildfire risks that come with them. This year’s conditions are already reinforcing that concern.
By the end of May, some residents reported having already used a significant portion of the water stored in their rainwater catchment systems. Occasional rain showers have offered some relief, but recent precipitation has been far short of what’s needed to fully replenish supplies. Low water means more than inconvenience: dry vegetation is fire fuel and a landscape starved of moisture is a landscape primed to burn.
The wildfire situation across British Columbia is a reminder of the challenges ahead. According to the BC Wildfire Service dashboard, hundreds of fires have already been recorded province-wide since April 1.
On Vancouver Island and in the Coastal region, dozens have occurred, though most have stayed small compared to major activity elsewhere in the province — for now.
Adding to the uncertainty is the return of El Niño conditions. The World Meteorological Organization now puts the odds of a global El Niño event between June and August at 80 per cent, rising to roughly 90 per cent through the fall. El Niño is often associated with above-average temperatures and prolonged drought, though its local impacts vary.
For Salt Spring, the bigger concern may come later in the year. El Niño winters tend to be drier on coastal B.C., reducing the seasonal recharge that rainwater systems, aquifers and reservoirs depend on. Water conserved this summer could matter even more by fall, if drought conditions persist, and our reserves next spring may not return to the levels we’re used to. Conserving water now is more than just good household management — it’s preparation for a longer dry stretch ahead.
One of the easiest and most effective steps homeowners can take is to book a free FireSmart Home Assessment through Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue. Trained Firesmart representatives visit your property and identify practical, affordable measures to reduce wildfire risk.
Priority FireSmart steps include: clearing combustible material from the first 1.5 metres around buildings, cleaning leaves and needles from roofs and gutters, and moving firewood at least 10 metres from structures during fire season.
Water conservation and wildfire preparedness go hand in hand. Small changes now can extend resources through the season: fix leaking taps and irrigation lines, switch to drip irrigation instead of overhead sprinklers and let visitors know water is scarce this year.
Visit the Transition Salt Spring Wildfire Ready Hub at transitionsaltspring.com/wildfire for more on emergency preparedness, wildfire risk reduction and community resilience.
Salt Spring Island forest, left, and a wildfire in action. (Photos courtesy Transition Salt Spring)