When you hear a wildfire is classified as Out of Control, it’s easy to picture massive flames racing through the forest. But Out of Control is used as an operational term, not a description of how dramatic or aggressive a wildfire looks. A wildfire is classified as Out of Control when it is spreading, or expected to spread, beyond the current containment lines. Think of it like plumbing, a slow leak and a burst pipe are both uncontrolled situations, but they behave very differently. One may grow slowly over time and require monitoring and management. The other may move quickly and need immediate, aggressive action. Wildfires can behave the same way.
Some wildfires classified as Out of Control wildfires may:

• Smoulder with limited visible flame
• Creep slowly through grass or forest fuels
• Grow gradually over time

Others may:

• Spread rapidly
• Be driven by strong winds
• Show intense fire behaviour and spotting

That’s why wildfire stage of control classifications are only one piece of the picture.
When you’re reading updates on a wildfire, it’s important to understand the language used so you can better understand what is happening.

Learn more about stages of control, wildfire ranks, and check out our glossary to learn more about wildfire in BC.