View Royal Fire Rescue is hosting a free community screening of the documentary The Test to help residents learn more about wildfire preparedness and prevention. It will happen on April 17, 2026, at 6.30pm. The event offers community members an opportunity to see how proactive measures can protect homes and neighbourhoods from fire risks.
The film chronicles the story of Logan Lake, British Columbia, which spent 18 years becoming Canada’s first certified FireSmart community. The documentary highlights how these years of work helped the town survive the 2021 Tremont Creek Wildfire.
This screening comes as the BC Wildfire Service prepares for the 2026 season. While the province is forecasting an elevated risk for wildfires in several regions, Vancouver Island has a near-normal outlook following a wet winter. However, the importance of being prepared remains a priority for the community after the region experienced extreme wildfire risk throughout the summer of 2025.
The Town of View Royal has been active in building its own safety programs. In January 2025, the municipality completed a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan in partnership with Blackwell Consulting Ltd. The assessment found that most of the municipality has a low wildfire threat rating.
In February 2026, a local townhome complex at Stonecliffe became the first neighbourhood in Greater Victoria to achieve official status under the national recognition program. The local initiative is led by View Royal Fire Rescue’s FireSmart coordinator and wildfire mitigation specialist, Ryan Eason.
