Town of Lake Cowichan

28/07/2026

The Town reminds the public that a campfire ban is currently in effect. We have had to respond to a few fires recently and this has prompted this reminder.

The Town is following the restrictions established by the BC Wildfire Service, and the ban must be observed until further notice.

While the recent rainfall on Vancouver Island may give the impression that the wildfire risk has been reduced, the risk remains very high. Rainfall does not immediately eliminate dry forest conditions or the possibility of a human-caused wildfire.

The Town and other communities have deployed fire fighting resources to assist municipalities facing serious wildfire situations. Resources are also being drawn from other jurisdictions across the province and country as well. With personnel and equipment already deployed, our local resources could quickly become stretched if a significant incident occurs in our area.

Please help protect our community, firefighters and neighbouring jurisdictions by following the campfire ban and all other fire restrictions.

The restrictions may change as conditions evolve. Please continue to follow updates from the Town and the BC Wildfire Service.

28/07/2026

Interested in serving your community? Learn what it takes to run for local office in the 2026 General Local Election.

Join a free online Candidate Information Session to learn about:
✅ Roles and responsibilities of elected officials
✅ The nomination process
✅ Resources for prospective candidates
✅ Serving in local government

📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
🕛 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. or 🕕 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

💻For virtual meeting links to each session, visit: https://ow.ly/Houm50ZtA04

A recording of one of the sessions will be made available afterward on the websites of the City of Duncan, Municipality of North Cowichan, Town of Ladysmith, Town of Lake Cowichan and Cowichan Valley Regional District. View the news release: https://ow.ly/zVR950ZtA05

27/07/2026

Are You Registered to Vote?

The upcoming municipal election is on October 17.

Make sure you're on the voters list and ready to cast your ballot. Register or update your information online through Elections BC:

🔗 https://eregister.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/ovr/welcome.aspx

Your vote matters. Be election ready!

To request a vote-by-mail package, you will also be asked to provide a telephone number, mobile number or email address where you can be reached. Elections BC may contact you if there is additional information required to accept your vote-by-mail package. You may be contacted:

24/07/2026

Please be safe and thank you for your service.

This morning at 3:30 a.m. Members Monroe Grobe and Tyler Hieta from Lake Cowichan Fire Department hit the road for deployment to support other departments in the Province and BC Wildfire Service. First stop Kamloops for check in and then possibly making their way up to 100 Mile House. Thank you for stepping up to go support without any hesitation, we wish you safe travels and a safe deployment.

22/07/2026

The Town would like to share a local cooling resource in Lake Cowichan being offered in the community. Other indoor spaces for the public to attend would include the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena at 311 South Shore Road during regular facility hours.

How to keep your body cool?
visit one of the local parks in the area close to the Cowichan River,
Drink plenty of water!
Wear a damp shirt or mist yourself with a spray bottle,
place an ice tray in front of a fan, or
take a cool shower or sit in a cool or tepid bath.

Stay Safe when It is Hot.

IF YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS EXTREME HEAT WHY NOT DROP BY THE FULLY AIRCONDITIONED 50+ ACTIVITY CENTRE TO COOL DOWN.
THE CENTRE WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 4:30 TODAY. COME PLAY BINGO OR SIMPLY SIT AND RELAX

20/07/2026

The Town of Lake Cowichan is accepting applications for Election Officials for the upcoming 2026 Local Elections.

16/07/2026

The Town of Lake Cowichan is now on Stage 3.

The CVRD is offering water conservation rebates on rain barrels, cisterns, smart irrigation, and soil amendments. Take advantage of these rebates to help reduce your water use. cvrd.ca/services/environment/rebate-programs/water-conservation-rebates/

14/07/2026

The Town of Lake Cowichan is thrilled to announce that it has been approved for $400,000 in funding through the UBCM FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Program.

This achievement reflects the dedication and persistence of our FireSmart Coordinator, Elija Ellison and other staff whose leadership throughout the application process helped make this funding possible.

We thank Mayor and Council for supporting the application through a Council resolution. We also recognize the Town staff, Fire Chief and Training Officer who supported the application process. This achievement would not have been possible without their teamwork and shared commitment to our community.

The grant will provide $200,000 per year over two years, for a total of $400,000 in funding extending through 2028. To put this amount into perspective, it is equivalent to approximately 13.6 percentage points of municipal taxation, based on 1% of taxation generating approximately $29,374.

Securing external funding of this magnitude is extraordinary and allows the Town to deliver important community initiatives while reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers.

Over the next two years, this funding will help strengthen wildfire resilience, protect homes, properties and critical , educate our youth, and contribute to a safer .

Congratulations to Elija and the team who played a role in securing this significant funding. Together, we are building a safer and stronger Lake Cowichan. Lake Cowichan Fire Department

09/07/2026

The Town has launched its 2026 Local Government Elections web page. You will be able to find all the information you need in one place.

Residents, potential candidates, and others are encouraged to visit the page to review key election information, important dates, candidate information, voter eligibility, and other updates as they become available.

The Town would like to acknowledge and thank the staff whose work and contributions over the past several months helped make this web page possible.

and in the #2026 process.

https://lakecowichan.ca/elections2026.php

09/07/2026

Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation and the Town of Lake Cowichan have issued a joint statement regarding concerns of persons in the community being photographed while travelling on public roads and within other public spaces.

The RCMP is aware, and both the Nation and the Town are monitoring the matter closely. We ask the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, respect privacy, and continue supporting one another with care and respect.