Large apartment fire causes long term evacuation of 91 people. Support provided by EMC through the provincial Emergency Support Services program.

Heavy rains and snow melt culminated into a substantial water level rise of the Chemainus River. The REOC activated, and a reception centre was established. Evacuations were ordered for 11 properties affected by the potential overflow at the Chemainus Road Bridge. Approximately 8- people in the Tsussie area voluntarily evacuated but were quickly returned home.

The Mount Underwood wildfire was first reported on August 11, 2025. The Regional Emergency Operations Centre was activated by 11 am on the 12^th of August. A state of local emergency was declared and five (5) properties in Electoral Area I were ordered to evacuate. Impacts included road and access route restrictions, power outages, and air quality concerns. The wildfire did not enter any of the jurisdictions within the CVRD. The REOC provided support to several communities as requested during the event including Port Alberni, Bamfield and Ditidaht Nation. The REOC remained activated at level 2 until August 21. No damage or injuries occurred.

Due to low snow pack, early warm temperatures and reduced winter precipitation, the five local governments activated the REOC to support water reduction and drought planning.

Extreme temperatures throughout the region. The REOC supported the communication and coordination of multiple cooling locations.

The Cowichan Region was impacted by a series of atmospheric rivers. Environment and Climate Change Canada reported that between 11:00 a.m. on November 13 and 11:00 a.m. on November 15 a total of 68.2 mm of rain fell, which far eclipsed the old rainfall record of 54.3 mm set in 1913. The result of this unprecedented rainfall was significant flooding across the Cowichan region. Several Evacuation Orders were subsequently issued and the Regional Emergency Operations Centre was activated. Infrastructure damage included roadways, diking and other protective works across the region. Some land slippage also occurred in region.

Due to low snow pack, early warm temperatures and reduced winter precipitation, several local governments activated the REOC to support water reduction and drought planning.

A 20 hectare wildfire on the Eastern side of Mount Hayes was responded to the evening of August 19, 2021. It quickly grew to 70 hectares overnight, nearing critical infrastructure of a repeater tower site and the Fortis BC liquid LNG storage facility. A total of 56 firefighters, 12 pieces of heavy equipment and 5 helicopters supported the firefighting efforts over the following 5 days. Several evacuation orders and alerts were issued to the surrounding residents.

A 32 hectare wildfire on the north slope of Mount Prevost resulted in one evacuation order and a State of Local Emergency for 10 days.

Due to the extreme heat wave anticipated in the Cowichan Valley, cooling centres were opened at several locations and the REOC provided administrative support:

• Kerry Park Recreation Centre, 1035 Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road, Mill Bay – Thursday July 29 – Saturday July 31 from 12 pm to 8 pm.
• Cowichan Community Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan – Thursday July 29 – Saturday July 31 from 12 pm to 8 pm.
• Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall, 309 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan – Thursday July 29 – Saturday July 31 from 12 pm to 8 pm.
• Frank Jameson Community Centre, 810 – 6th Avenue, Ladysmith – Thursday July 29 – Saturday July 31 from 12 pm to 8 pm.
• Siem Lelum Gymnasium, 5574 River Road, Duncan – Thursday July 29 – Saturday July 31 from 12 pm to 8 pm.
• Crofton Community Centre, 8104 Musgrave Street, Crofton – Saturday, July 31st from 12 pm to 8 pm.
• Chemainus Seniors Centre, 9824 Willow Street, Chemainus – Saturday, July 31st from 12 pm to 8 pm.

Large apartment fire causes long term evacuation of 70 people. Support provided by EMC through the provincial Emergency Support Services program.

An atmospheric river brought heavy rains with a station at Effingham Inlet, off the west coast, recording nearly 300mm of rain in one day. Both Cowichan River and Chemainus River were above a 5-year flow and continued to rise. Around 10 p.m. on January 31, flooding in areas of Crofton resulted in the evacuation of about 23 people. A BC Transit bus was used to bring 18 residents to the Duncan area to stay with friends and family, and the rest were accommodated in Crofton. Evacuations continued into the early morning and at 3 a.m. the Cowichan Community Centre opened as a group lodging and reception centre for about 28 evacuated residents from North Cowichan and the Halalt First Nation.