Crews will start clearing overgrown brush and highly flammable plants along the rail corridor in View Royal on Monday, July 20, 2026, a project the town is funding to reduce wildfire risk and improve safety.
The Town of View Royal is paying the Island Corridor Foundation to remove vegetation, including Scotch broom, which burns easily even when green. Scotch broom is a major invasive plant on Vancouver Island, and its oil content can make wildfires spread faster and burn hotter, according to invasive-species experts. The Invasive Species Council of British Columbia notes the plant can increase the intensity of wildfires and crowd out native species.
The work aims to make the corridor less of a fire hazard after a major blaze broke out near an encampment in the Cowichan River area in 2024, raising concerns about fire safety along the railway. Trimming back the brush will also open up sightlines, helping to discourage illegal dumping, unauthorized camping, and other hidden activities.
The Island Corridor Foundation owns and manages 289 kilometres of former railway from Victoria to Courtenay and from Parksville to Port Alberni. A 12-person board runs the non-profit, with six seats for regional districts and six for First Nations. Vegetation clearing is part of wider maintenance paid for by an $18-million grant the BC government announced in 2023.
View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias said the cleanup protects public safety and helps look after the corridor for the future. Tobias will step down after the October 2026 election. Residents will begin to see crews next week, and the town thanks people for their patience while the work is underway.
