BC Hydro says wildfire and storm seasons now overlap, raising year-round outage risk
BC Hydro replaced 1,265 power poles during the 2026 wildfire season, and says drought-weakened trees are making storms more destructive. Residents should have a 72-hour emergency kit ready.
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BC Hydro replaced 1,265 power poles during the 2026 wildfire season alone, and the utility says that damage is making the province's fall and winter storms more dangerous. In a report published November 5, 2026, the utility said the line between wildfire season and storm season is blurring across the province.
"There isn't always a clean break between wildfire season and storm season anymore," Whitney Deane, a BC Hydro spokesperson, said in the release.
What the report found
Drought weakens trees through the summer, and fire-damaged trees can appear standing until a storm brings them down on power lines. BC Hydro says this connection means damage from a dry summer shapes how badly a fall windstorm hits the grid.
The report adds that wildfire-affected land also faces higher risk of flooding, erosion and landslides when heavy rain follows. BC Hydro said 22 wildfires were still burning across BC when the report was published.
Trees are the leading cause of storm-related power outages in BC, according to BC Hydro. The utility said it has tripled its annual spending on cutting, trimming and removing trees near power lines over the past six years, reaching about $150 million a year.
This fall and winter
BC Hydro said forecasters were monitoring conditions that could bring continued weather swings this winter. The utility did not name a specific forecast, but said preparation was now a year-round task rather than a seasonal one.
The timing of the report comes during a stretch of storms on the BC south coast and Vancouver Island. BC Hydro has had crews working since Friday, November 7, to restore power to tens of thousands of customers. A third storm system was expected to arrive Monday.
What you can do
BC Hydro asks households to build a 72-hour emergency kit with water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit, and to have a household communication plan in place before an outage hits.
During a storm, stay at least 10 metres away from any downed power line and call 911 to report it. Any line on the ground should be treated as live. Report outages through the BC Hydro app or at bchydro.com and check the outage map at bchydro.com/power-outages/app/outage-map.html to track restoration in your area.
Questions this story answers
What did BC Hydro find about wildfire and storm seasons in 2026?
BC Hydro published a report on November 5, 2026, saying the gap between wildfire season and storm season is shrinking. The utility said drought and heat affect trees long after temperatures cool. Trees weakened by drought or damaged by fire may stand until the first major windstorm arrives, then fall on power lines. BC Hydro spokesperson Whitney Deane told the utility in its own release: 'There isn't always a clean break between wildfire season and storm season anymore.'
How much did BC Hydro spend on vegetation management in 2026?
BC Hydro said in its November 5, 2026 press release that it spends about $150 million a year on vegetation management, a figure the utility said had tripled over the previous six years. Trees are the leading cause of storm-related power outages, according to BC Hydro.
How many power poles did BC Hydro replace after wildfires in 2026?
BC Hydro said it replaced 1,265 power poles and 110 transformers during the 2026 wildfire season, according to the utility's own November 5, 2026 press release. The utility said trees are the leading cause of storm-related outages in BC, and that fire-damaged trees can appear standing until a storm brings them down on lines.
Were wildfires still burning in BC in November 2026?
BC Hydro said in its November 5, 2026 press release that 22 wildfires were still active across BC at the time of publication. The utility noted that wildfire-affected landscapes face elevated risk of flooding, erosion and landslides when heavy rain arrives.
What should BC households do to prepare for power outages?
BC Hydro asks households to have a 72-hour emergency kit ready with water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit. Residents should also have a household emergency communication plan. During an outage, BC Hydro asks residents to stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and call 911 to report them. Outages can be tracked through the BC Hydro app or at bchydro.com.
What is El Niño's role in BC's weather risk this winter?
BC Hydro said in its November 5, 2026 release that forecasters were watching potential strong El Niño conditions that could bring continued weather volatility. The utility did not give a specific forecast, but noted that El Niño can amplify weather extremes.
How much has BC Hydro spent on vegetation management in recent years?
BC Hydro said in its November 5, 2026 press release that its annual spending on vegetation management has tripled over the past six years to about $150 million a year. The utility spends that money cutting, trimming and removing trees near power lines. Trees are the leading cause of storm-related outages, according to BC Hydro.
How can BC residents report a power outage or downed power line?
BC Hydro asks residents to report outages through the BC Hydro app or at bchydro.com. The utility's outage map is at bchydro.com/power-outages/app/outage-map.html and shows current outages by area. For a downed power line, BC Hydro says to stay at least 10 metres away and call 911. Any line on the ground should be treated as live, the utility said in its November 5, 2026 press release.
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