©Town of Creston

Creston, B.C., had a relatively quiet wildfire summer in town this year. Still, wildfire sits at the top of a new assessment of the risks facing the community. The Town of Creston looked at 51 possible hazards, including floods, extreme heat, drought and wastewater problems. Wildfire was the only one rated as a current high risk. Officials say the finding is not a prediction for one fire season. Instead, it is a reminder that Creston is a mountain community surrounded by forests and dry slopes, and that preparation needs to happen before a major fire reaches town. The assessment comes as B.C. communities prepare for new provincial emergency management rules taking effect in January 2027, including new requirements for hazard risk assessments and emergency planning.