Fire crews in Port Alberni, British Columbia, have spent the week of May 18, 2026, responding to three separate suspicious fires in the Roger Creek area. All three incidents have been deemed human-caused, prompting a coordinated response from local agencies to manage the blazes and address lingering hot spots.
The Port Alberni Fire Department and the Cherry Creek Volunteer Fire Department worked alongside the BC Wildfire Service to contain the fires. At the height of the response, a helicopter equipped with a Bambi bucket was deployed to drop water on the sites. According to the BC Wildfire Service, the two primary fires near Rogers Creek—identified as incident numbers V70388 and V703390—measured 0.1 hectares and 0.009 hectares, respectively. These fires have now been declared out or under control.
These recent events follow a separate legal matter in the community. On May 14, 2026, a 38-year-old man named Jordan Donald Munro was arrested and charged with two counts of arson in connection with earlier brush fires near the Coombs Country Candy store on the Alberni Highway.
Local authorities continue to emphasize the importance of fire safety as the region navigates the early wildfire season. While the BC Wildfire Service lifted a campfire ban for the Coastal Fire Centre on May 15, 2026, due to cooler weather, local jurisdictions have maintained stricter rules. The Tseshaht First Nation has implemented a complete prohibition on all fires on reserve lands and the Broken Group Islands until further notice. This decision is supported by both the Hupacasath First Nation and the City of Port Alberni, which are also upholding local fire bans.
Emergency officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious fire activity immediately by calling 911.
