The smoke in Victoria is coming mainly from wildfires burning in British Columbia, including a large wildfire called the Bear Gulch fire, as well as other wildfires across the province sparked largely by recent lightning strikes. Additionally, some smoke haze has been drifting in from wildfires in the United States, particularly near Olympia and Tacoma in Washington State. The wildfire activity has resulted in smoky skies and reduced air quality over Victoria and Vancouver Island since early September 2025.
The province currently has many active wildfires, many caused by over 6,000 lightning strikes this summer, and the smoke is expected to persist and potentially worsen before conditions improve. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and take precautions due to moderate health risks associated with the smoke. The Bear Gulch wildfire near BC's capital is a significant contributor to the current smoke observed over Victoria.
In summary, the smoky conditions in Victoria are mainly due to local British Columbia wildfires, including the Bear Gulch fire, with some contribution from U.S. wildfires drifting northward.
