Wildfires ignite near Goldstream Park and Shawnigan Lake following thunderstorm (UPDATED)

Update: The BC Wildfire Service has updated the status of the two lightning-caused wildfires near Goldstream Park and Shawnigan Lake. Both are now classified as being held and are no longer considered out of control.

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A thunderstorm that rolled across Greater Victoria and southern Vancouver Island Thursday evening has been followed by two new out-of-control wildfires.

Both fires were discovered on July 23rd and are currently estimated at 0.009 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Services.

The fire closest to Greater Victoria has been given identification V61138, which the BC Wildfire Service has named “Bear Mtn.”

It is burning near Bear Mountain, just east of Goldstream Provincial Park.

The cause remains under investigation and has not officially been linked to lightning, although the fire was discovered while the thunderstorm was moving through the region.

As of 7:18 p.m., there were no evacuation alerts, evacuation orders or area restrictions associated with the fire.

A second fire, V61135, is burning near the southern end of Shawnigan Lake and is listed by the BC Wildfire Service as the “Trailor Main” fire.

Lightning has been confirmed as the suspected cause.

According to Victoria realtor Jason Binab, lightning struck a tree above the 1500 block of Shawnigan Lake Road.

Binab, who was watching from across the lake, said smoke soon began rising near the ski jump area at the south end of the lake.

He contacted the fire department to report what he had seen.

Fire crews were on scene Thursday evening, with a helicopter also seen supporting the response.

There were no evacuation alerts, orders or area restrictions associated with the Shawnigan Lake fire as of 7:11 p.m.

“Out of control” means a wildfire is spreading or is expected to spread beyond its current perimeter or control line. It does not necessarily mean nearby homes or infrastructure are immediately threatened.

The storm also sparked another small wildfire farther north on Vancouver Island.

The Salmon River fire, identified as V81137, is also estimated at 0.009 hectares and classified as out of control. Lightning is listed as the suspected cause.

Meanwhile, the 6.3-hectare Kalpit Lake fire remains out of control after being discovered on July 21st.

BC Wildfire Service said the lightning-caused fire has shown minimal growth in recent days and does not pose a threat to critical infrastructure. Crews are responding with assistance from aviation resources and local contract crews.

As of Thursday evening, four wildfires were classified as out of control on Vancouver Island.

This is a developing story. Details may change as crews assess the fires.