Firefighters rushed to the scene of what they thought might be a bush fire, but found a smoke bomb instead.
The incident happened in the 3500 block of Rock City Road shortly before 10:30 p.m. Friday.
Rick Kwasnechan, Nanaimo Fire Rescue fire prevention officer, said fire crews found the device on the side of the road and turned the investigation over to Nanaimo RCMP.
"A member attended and found the smoke bomb was a consumer product and not homemade," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.
O'Brien, who had no detailed information about the device, said its remains were collected and disposed of locally.