SOOKE, B.C. — A growing wildfire near Sooke has become one of the latest significant fire incidents on Vancouver Island, with crews, helicopters and airtankers working to contain the blaze as fire activity increased amid warm and dry conditions.
Known as the Mount Jack wildfire, the fire was mapped at approximately 35 hectares on Monday, September 21, 2026, after showing increased activity during the day. BC Wildfire Service reported vigorous fire behaviour and warned that additional growth was possible.
The wildfire is located approximately four kilometres west of the Sooke River and south of Mount Jack. Although the fire is close enough for smoke to be visible from Sooke and other communities across the region, authorities said Monday that it did not pose a current threat to public safety or critical infrastructure.
The situation remains dynamic, however, and residents are being urged to stay clear of firefighting operations while crews continue their work.
Mount Jack Wildfire Near Sooke Grows to 35 Hectares
The Mount Jack wildfire has expanded as fire behaviour intensified during the day.
BC Wildfire Service’s Monday afternoon mapping placed the fire at approximately 35 hectares. Fire activity increased significantly under warm, dry conditions, with officials expecting the fire to continue growing.
The growth has made the incident one of several active wildfires requiring significant attention on Vancouver Island.
Firefighters are working to slow the spread while aircraft provide aerial support. Helicopters and airtankers have been deployed as part of the suppression effort.
The combination of ground crews and aircraft is intended to attack the fire from multiple directions and take advantage of changing conditions on the landscape.
Where Is the Mount Jack Fire?
The wildfire is located near Mount Jack, roughly four kilometres west of the Sooke River and south of Mount Jack.
Its location places it close enough to Sooke that smoke can be seen from the community.
Smoke may also be visible from Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley, according to information attributed to BC Wildfire Service.
The visibility of smoke across a large portion of southern Vancouver Island has prompted increased public interest in the fire and concern among people trying to understand whether the blaze poses a direct threat to populated areas.
Is Sooke in Danger From the Wildfire?
The latest information available Monday indicated that the Mount Jack wildfire did not currently pose a threat to public safety or critical infrastructure.
The situation was nevertheless described as dynamic, and officials asked the public to stay away from firefighting operations.
The District of Sooke subsequently reported that the Mount Jack wildfire was outside the District’s boundaries and did not pose a danger to Sooke homes according to its latest public update.
Residents should continue checking official emergency information because wildfire conditions can change quickly.
Smoke Visible Across Vancouver Island
One of the most noticeable effects of the Mount Jack wildfire has been smoke.
Smoke from the fire may be visible from Sooke, Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley.
Seeing smoke does not necessarily mean that the fire is immediately threatening a community. Smoke can travel significant distances depending on wind direction, atmospheric conditions and fire behaviour.
Residents should therefore rely on official wildfire and emergency-management information rather than judging the level of danger solely from how much smoke is visible.
Crews, Helicopters and Airtankers Battle the Fire
Firefighters are working on the ground while aircraft assist from above.
The response includes helicopters and airtankers, which can provide important support when fire activity increases and terrain or access makes ground suppression more difficult.
Aerial firefighting can help crews slow the advance of a wildfire, protect strategic areas and create opportunities for ground crews to strengthen containment efforts.
The effectiveness of the response can change as weather, wind, fuel conditions and terrain change.
Warm and Dry Conditions Increase Fire Activity
Weather conditions have played an important role in the Mount Jack wildfire’s behaviour.
BC Wildfire Service reported increased fire activity during the day as warm and dry conditions affected the area.
The broader province is also continuing to deal with elevated wildfire risk. BC Wildfire Service’s September outlook noted that, following an active summer, warmer and drier-than-normal conditions were expected during the fall, with the potential for increased wildfire activity later in the season.
Recent rainfall has helped moderate fire behaviour in some parts of British Columbia, but officials have warned that underlying drought conditions remain a concern in parts of the province.
Five Vancouver Island Wildfires Listed as Out of Control
The Mount Jack wildfire is not the only significant fire being monitored on Vancouver Island.
On Monday afternoon, five Vancouver Island wildfires were listed as out of control, according to reporting based on BC Wildfire Service information.
Other fires included:
- Nitinat Main wildfire — estimated at 12 hectares near the 16-kilometre mark of the Nitinat Forest Service Road.
- Thistle Mine Road wildfire — approximately five hectares near the 56-kilometre mark.
- Pat Phillip Creek wildfire — approximately 0.3 hectares between Juan de Fuca Park and Highway 14.
- Rogers Creek wildfire — a newly reported fire estimated at 0.1 hectares.
The different fires are located in different environments, and their suppression responses vary depending on terrain, accessibility and fire behaviour.
Are There Evacuation Orders or Alerts for Sooke?
As of the latest Monday afternoon information reviewed, no Vancouver Island evacuation alert or evacuation order appeared in the province’s public evacuation layer.
That status can change if fire behaviour shifts.
Residents should not rely on older reports or social-media posts when determining whether they need to leave an area. Any evacuation order or alert should be followed immediately according to instructions from emergency authorities.
The District of Sooke is also monitoring conditions and providing community updates.
What Sooke Residents Should Do
Residents in and around Sooke should remain aware of changing wildfire conditions.
People should:
- Monitor official wildfire and emergency-management updates.
- Follow any evacuation instructions issued by authorities.
- Stay away from active firefighting operations.
- Avoid entering restricted areas.
- Keep emergency supplies accessible in case conditions change.
- Be cautious when driving in areas affected by smoke.
- Avoid relying on unverified social-media reports.
Even when a fire does not currently threaten homes, wildfire conditions can change rapidly.
Fire Restrictions Remain Important in Sooke
The wildfire comes during a period when fire danger remains a concern in the Sooke area.
The District of Sooke has maintained local campfire restrictions because local fire danger has remained high to extreme. The district previously noted that rainfall had not been sufficient to reduce local fire danger to a level where the prohibition could safely be lifted.
The district has urged residents and visitors to remain cautious and continue following local restrictions designed to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.
What Caused the Mount Jack Wildfire?
The cause of the Mount Jack wildfire should not be assumed without an official finding.
Wildfire investigations can take time, particularly when crews are still actively fighting a fire.
Until authorities release confirmed information about how the fire started, claims concerning its cause should be treated cautiously.
The focus at this stage remains on suppression, public safety and monitoring the fire’s behaviour.
Latest Update on the Sooke Fire Today
The Mount Jack wildfire near Sooke was mapped at approximately 35 hectares Monday afternoon and was showing vigorous fire behaviour, with further growth expected.
Helicopters, airtankers and ground crews were responding to the fire. Smoke could be visible from Sooke, Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley.
Despite the fire’s growth, the latest information reviewed indicated that it did not pose a current threat to public safety or critical infrastructure, while the District of Sooke reported that the fire was outside district boundaries and not threatening Sooke homes.
The situation remains fluid, and residents should continue monitoring official updates.
Sooke Fire Today: What to Know
The Mount Jack wildfire has become a significant firefighting operation near Sooke as warm, dry conditions contribute to increased fire activity.
The fire has grown to approximately 35 hectares, with crews and aircraft working to suppress it.
Smoke is expected to remain visible across parts of southern Vancouver Island, but current information does not indicate an immediate threat to Sooke homes.
There was also no evacuation alert or order listed for Vancouver Island in the latest Monday afternoon information reviewed.
Because wildfire conditions can change quickly, residents should continue relying on official information rather than speculation.
The Mount Jack wildfire remains an active situation, and firefighting crews are continuing efforts to control the blaze while officials monitor its behaviour and potential impacts on surrounding communities.
Disclaimer: Wildfire conditions can change rapidly. This article reflects the latest information available at the time of writing. Fire size, fire behaviour, evacuation status, smoke conditions and public-safety information should be confirmed through BC Wildfire Service, the District of Sooke and official emergency-management sources before making decisions based on this report.