Category Archives: Forest Fires

Forest Fires

BC Wildfire Service reports wildfire activity decrease in northern BC

By Steve Berard
Energetic City
October 10, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

©BCWildfireService

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Wildfire activity so far in 2025 is down compared to the same time last year, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS). The agency has issued a status report for the Prince George Fire Centre as of Thursday, October 9th, which says 340 wildfires have been reported in the region so far in 2025. That’s a significant decrease from 2024, which saw 444 wildfires reported in the same time frame, although it’s still higher than the 10-year average of 308 blazes. The number of hectares burned so far this year is also down to 723,609 after last year saw 803,557 burned by October 9th. However, 2025’s wildfire season has still seen significantly more hectares burned than the 10-year average of 376,039.

 

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Up to 20 millimetres of rain possible over Munro Lake fire, Peachland

By Nicholas Johansen
Castanet
September 28, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

©BCWildfireService

Some showers in the forecast could bring relief to firefighters on the line at the Munro Lake wildfire. Environment Canada meteorologist Philippe-Alain Bergeron said there is the potential for 10 to 20 millimetres of rain in the vicinity of the fire Monday evening and into Tuesday. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations has issued an evacuation order for an additional property near the fire. 5875 Brenda Mines Road, Zipzone Adventure Park, joins a handful of other non-residential addresses affected by the order. All evacuation alerts previously issued will remain in place overnight. Residents who were previously ordered out were allowed to return to their homes on Saturday. Unless conditions change, no further updates from the Emergency Operations Centre will be issued tonight. The Munro Lake wildfire remains out of control but has not grown in size. It remains at 310 hectares.

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Growing wildfire near Peachland, B.C., prompts evacuation order

CBC News
September 25, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

©BCWildfireService

A new wildfire near Peachland, B.C., has grown rapidly Thursday evening and forced residents of 325 addresses to evacuate. More than 1,100 properties are under an evacuation alert, which means residents should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. The Central Okanagan Regional District announced the evacuation order Thursday at 6 p.m. PT and added the evacuation alert at around 7:45 p.m. PT. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the fire near Munro Lake — about six kilometres southwest of Peachland — is also threatening the Munro Lake Forest Service Road and the Peachland Main Road. The fire has grown to 0.7 square kilometres (74.3 hectares). Shae Stearns, a BCWS fire information officer said the fire is currently burning at Rank 3, a classification that indicates a moderately vigorous surface fire. More than 40 personnel are working on the fire, according to Stearns, as well as air tankers and four helicopters.

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Wildfire burning near Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt now being held

By Kristen Holliday
Castanet Kamloops
September 15, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

©BCWildfireService

A wildfire that swept across the Coquihalla Highway earlier this month and forced the closure of the major transportation corridor is not expected to grow any further. The BC Wildfire Service updated the status of the Mine Creek wildfire from out of control to being held — meaning the fire is expected to stay within its current perimeter, based on fire fuel and weather conditions. It’s now estimated that the wildfire, burning between Merritt and Hope, grew to 2,904 hectares in size — a little less than an earlier estimate of 3,000 hectares. The cooler temperatures and rainfall seen in recent days have assisted wildland firefighters working to suppress the fire. The BC Wildfire Service said two millimetres of rain fell over parts of the fire on Sunday, which will help temper fire behaviour.

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Wildfire near Lynn Lake started at mining site after burn piles weren’t properly extinguished: court docs

By Kristin Annable
CBC News
September 11, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

Provincial investigators looking into the cause of this spring’s wildfire near Lynn Lake, Man., allege it started at the nearby Alamos Gold Inc. mining site and that the company was negligent because it didn’t use water to extinguish its burn piles, according to search warrant documents obtained by CBC News. Manitoba Conservation investigators allege the fire, which eventually grew to over 85,000 hectares, started on May 7 after a burn pile reignited at the Toronto-based gold producer’s MacLellan mine site, about 7.5 kilometres northeast of Lynn Lake. By late May, the fire had come within five kilometres of Lynn Lake and forced the evacuation of the nearly 600 residents of the town… Dozens of properties in the area were destroyed. …The investigators asked Alamos Gold staff how they ensured the burn piles were extinguished. The workers said they stirred the piles and installed a fire guard around them, according to the documents. 

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Kamloops-Centre MLA owes wildfire fighters an apology, says forestry minister

By Kemone Moodley
Terrace Standard
September 5, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

Peter Milobar

Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar owes BC Wildfire Service an apology, says B.C. Forest Minister Ravi Parmar. In an interview with The Hope Standard, Parmar said that Milobar owes the BC Wildfire Service, and all wildland firefighters, an apology after he posted a tweet on X criticizing BC Wildfire Service for allegedly just watching the Mine Creek blaze burn instead of responding to it after he drove on the highway on Sept. 3 around 11:30 a.m. …Parmar said that Milobar also needs to educate himself and speak with wildland firefighters before commenting on wildfires again. In his post, Milobar said that he “drove through around 11:30 a.m. today (Sept. 3) and was on the other side of the ridge. No actioning (can you say save money with fiscal mess) and now we have a closed major highway, at what cost to the economy and infrastructure impacts?”

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Hundreds ordered to evacuate as wildfires burn around Anahim Lake in central B.C.

CBC News
September 5, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

@BCWildfireService

The community of Anahim Lake has been ordered evacuated as wildfires burning along Highway 20, north and east of Bella Coola in central B.C., moved closer to homes overnight. It’s part of a large number of evacuation orders issued by the Cariboo Regional District and the Ulkatcho First Nation Friday morning at 6 a.m. PT. About 570 people living along the Anahim Lake, Nimpo Lake, Dusty Lake and Charlotte Lake area were asked to leave immediately due to the Dusty Lake wildfire, which has spread to more than 53 square kilometres. …Another fire in the region, the 102-square-kilometre Beef Trail Creek wildfire burning north of the highway and northwest of the Dusty Lake fire, already prompted an evacuation order earlier this week for an area north of Anahim Lake. …Mikhail Elsay, fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service (BSWS), said Friday morning the Dusty Lake fire in particular is proving to be very difficult to contain.

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BC Wildfire Service fighting 18 out of control wildfires across Cariboo Fire Centre

By Patrick Davies
The Cranbrook Daily Townsman
September 5, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

@BCWildfireService

Eighteen wildfires remain out of control across the Cariboo Fire Centre this Friday, Sept. 5. The BC Wildfire Service has brought eight of the 31 active wildfires under control and while another five are being held. The largest wildfires near Anahim Lake, however, remain out of control and have prompted several evacuation orders on Friday morning. The largest wildfire in the fire centre remains the Itcha Lake Wildfire, now estimated to be 32,255 hectares as of Thursday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. Originally started by lightning, the fire is primarily located within the boundaries of the Itcha Ilgachuz Park, which has been closed to the public. …The majority of the province is currently under a special air quality statement due to wildfire smoke, including the Cariboo and Northern B.C. regions. As a result, many cities in those areas are at a six on B.C.’s air quality health index, with the potential of ranging up to nine on the scale.

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Mine Creek wildfire grows to 1,900 hectares, crosses Coquihalla Highway

By Aaron Schulze
CFJC Today Kamloops
September 4, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

©Facebook

KAMLOOPS — The BC Wildfire Service is warning of a dynamic situation on the Mine Creek wildfire burning along the Coquihalla Highway north of Hope. As of Thursday (Sept. 4) morning, the Mine Creek wildfire is measured at around 1,900 hectares in size, and its nearly quadrupled from the last update of 483 hectares. Taylor Stewart-Shantz, a fire information officer in the Kamloops Fire Centre, said most of the fire’s growth was to the east. Due to “flowing burning pieces,” the Mine Creek wildfire crossed the stretch of Highway 5. The wildfire service currently has one initial attack crew and four helicopters on site although additional resources will flown in throughout the day. “The flanks of the fire are in very steep, rocky terrain and are difficult to address,” Stewart-Shantz told CFJC Today. 

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Large wildfire in B.C.’s Cariboo region sparks evacuation order

By Akshay Kulkarni
CBC News
September 2, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

An evacuation order has been issued due to a large wildfire in B.C.’s Cariboo region, covering 150 parcels of land and multiple First Nations reserves. The Ulkatcho First Nation and the Cariboo Regional District issued the evacuation order for a swath of properties east of Tweedsmuir Park and just north of Anahim Lake on Tuesday afternoon. Evacuees have been told to head east via Highway 20 and head to Williams Lake, about 320 kilometres northeast of Vancouver as the crow flies. The Beef Trail Creek wildfire covers an area of about 60 square kilometres as of Tuesday night, nearly 15 times the size of Stanley Park in Vancouver. Mikhail Elsay, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said the fire’s size is expected to increase in the days ahead amid hot conditions in the Cariboo area.

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Whistler’s fire danger hits extreme as massive fires rage north of the resort

By Braden Dupuis
Pique News Magazine
September 3, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

@BCWildfire Service

The Bastion Peak fire at Lillooet Lake is still listed at 20 hectares, according to an update from the BC Wildfire Service. “The fire was active Sept. 2, with moderate downslope growth and some upslope growth. Moving forward, crews will be working to prevent further growth downslope, and to contain the fire on the flanks where it is safe to do so,” the update reads. “Higher, inaccessible portions of this fire will continue to be active until weather conditions change. Heavy helicopters will continue to bucket on active flanks as required. Heavy equipment has been brought in to open the Green River Forest Service Road – crews will work to keep the fire from crossing this road. To the east there is a burn scar from 2020, which may slow down potential growth in that direction.” The two fires in the Elaho Valley, northwest of Whistler, are being left for now due to terrain.

Related coverage in the Vancouver Sun, by the Canadian Press: Helicopter with B.C. wildfire crew makes forced landing near Pemberton 

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After summer of clear skies, smoke blankets Lower Mainland — with more to come

By Simon Little
Global News
September 3, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

It’s been a summer of blue skies for British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, but that’s changed with a wave of wildfire smoke rolling into the region. The Metro Vancouver Regional District has issued an air quality advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter causing hazy conditions across the region. At a Wednesday briefing, B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said conditions were expected to worsen, with much of Southern B.C. to be affected in the days to come. “We should expect to see wildfire smoke come south in the days ahead. Weather forecasters are saying that the smoke is going to be a major factor in the next 24 to 72 hours,” Parmar said. “There are already reports of smoke hitting communities. We do expect more smoke to arrive in the central and southern interior tonight or tomorrow, and reach Abbotsford and the coast by Friday.”

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B.C. wildfire closes Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt

By Simon Little
Global News
September 3, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

@BC Wildfire Service

The Coquihalla Highway was closed in both directions between Hope, B.C., and Merritt on Wednesday due to wildfire activity. The BC Wildfire Service said the Mine Creek fire is threatening the highway and that the Ministry of Transportation had closed the route at its recommendation. The fire, which is burning about 44 km northeast of Hope, was last measured at 483 hectares in size, and is classified as out of control. It was first spotted on Monday, and officials believe it was sparked by lightning. The wildfire service has deployed structure protection units to protect critical infrastructure in the area, and is attacking the fire with bombers and helicopters.

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Crews battling Fort Providence wildfire gearing up for challenging conditions, officials say

CBC News
September 2, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

N.W.T. fire crews plan to take advantage of the favourable weather conditions expected on Tuesday to do everything they can to protect Fort Providence from a wildfire burning less than a kilometre from the community, according to one of the territory’s fire information officers. Crews successfully held back the fire on Monday, Mike Westwick said. …”Sustained gusting between 25 and 40 kilometres per hour is in the forecast right now. And you know, the levels of moisture in the air, the relative humidity at a point that would sustain decent fire activity. And with the fire right on the community’s doorstep … that’s obviously a significant concern.” Hamlet leaders ordered an evacuation Sunday morning because a line of fire approximately 10 kilometres wide was dangerously close to the community. Most of the hamlet’s 700 residents went to Hay River.

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Active wildfires jump as heat warnings continue for parts of B.C.

Canadian Press in CBC News
August 28, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

The number of active wildfires in British Columbia has leapt by more than a dozen following several days of hot, sunny weather. B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) figures Thursday morning show 81 active blazes, up from 68 on Wednesday, with 19 new starts and seven fires declared out over the past 24 hours. There are now 17 fires classified as burning out of control, up from four on Monday, including a cluster of new starts in the northwestern part of the Cariboo region. The wildfire service’s map also shows three new blazes detected Thursday in conservancy areas northwest of Whistler. BCWS says hot, dry conditions have left fuels across much of the province highly susceptible to ignition and spread. …The wildfire service says thunderstorms in the south are bringing a risk of lightning to the Coastal and southern Interior fire centres, and while those storms could help moderate temperatures slightly…

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Fires on Lake Nipissing and Kahshe Lake remain active and uncontained

The Soo Today
August 28, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

Three new wildfires were confirmed today in the Northeast Region, one is out and two are burning out of control, according to the latest report from Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services. North Bay 14 is on the north side of French River, about 4.5 km south of Sandy Island on Lake Nipissing. This fire is 1.5 hectares and not under control. Haliburton 26 is 0.5 hectares and located on Coo-ee Island on Kahshe Lake. The fire is also not under control. Chapleau 14 was 0.1 hectares and located on the south side of Bunting Lake, approximately 2.6 kilometres west of Perth Lake, and 1.1 kilometres south of Nackawic Lake. It is out. There are six active fires in the Northeast region; one is under control, two are not under control, and three are being observed.

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UPDATE: Wildfire southwest of Nanaimo now being held Nanaimo News Bulletin

Nanaimo News Bulletin
August 25, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

©BCWildfireService

A new wildfire started up last night and burned 8.6 hectares southwest of Nanaimo overnight, but the fire is now being held. B.C. Wildfire Service reports that a fire at Manson Creek is considered being held as of 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25. The fire was discovered Sunday, Aug. 24, about two kilometres west of the intersection of Nanaimo Lakes Road and South Forks Road. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The wildfire service reported that two initial attack crews responded last night, with heavy equipment support. “With this support, crews were able to create a fire guard surrounding most of the perimeter,” the wildfire service noted.

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B.C.’s Fraser Canyon to bake under 39 C heat as wildfire prompts evacuation alerts

The Canadian Press in Energetic City
August 25, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada West

©BCWildfireService

An air-quality warning remains in effect for parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley due to smog and wildfire smoke from a blaze that has prompted evacuation alerts for the Yale and Spuzzum areas. It comes as Environment Canada warns that temperatures in the Fraser Canyon and South Thompson regions are expected to reach 37 to 39 C this week, posing a moderate risk to public health. The smog warning spans eastern areas of Metro Vancouver as well as the central Fraser Valley, while the smoke warning covers eastern parts of the valley. It says smoke from the Sailor Bar wildfire burning in the Fraser Canyon has also resulted in elevated levels of fine particulate matter in the air. The fire has prompted the Fraser Valley Regional District to issue an evacuation alert stretching from Yale and north to the Spuzzum area, covering properties on both the east and west sides of the Fraser River.

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Nova Scotia wildfire burning out of control amid hot fall weather

By Keith Doucette
The Canadian Press in the National Observer
October 6, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada East

NOVA SCOTIA — Unseasonably warm temperatures proved challenging Monday as the fight against an out-of-control wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley entered its second week. The Department of Natural Resources estimated that the fire at Lake George had grown slightly in 24 hours to just over 2.8 square kilometres, mainly because of dry and windy conditions. Monday’s forecast for the area near Aylesford, N.S., called for a high of 28 C — the average daily high in the region for October is normally below 15 C. “I can’t believe it — in October we normally get frost and cold,” Dave Corkum, mayor of the Municipality of the County of Kings, said in an interview. “There is some rain in the forecast in a few days and hopefully we will get it.” Despite the conditions, Corkum said there are no reports of damage to structures in the area.

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275 homes, cottages under evacuation order as N.S. wildfire burns near Lake George

By Meig Campbell
CBC News
September 30, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada East

Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources says more evacuations are possible as a fire near Lake George in the Annapolis Valley continues to burn out of control. Residents of … Aylesford Lake’s southwest end have been told to prepare to evacuate. The fire in Kings County, which broke out Sunday, is estimated to be 150 hectares. It had been pegged at 300 hectares Monday night but officials at a briefing Tuesday afternoon said that was the result of an overestimation due to dense smoke conditions. Jim Rudderham, DNR’s director of fleet and forest protection, told reporters the cause of the fire has not been determined but it’s presumed human activity is responsible since there has been no lightning in the area. “It’s frustrating for us and for everybody when this happens,” Rudderham said. No buildings have been damaged but 275 civic addresses have been evacuated and 56 others are under an evacuation alert. Some of those addresses are cottages.

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Out-of-control wildfire in Nova Scotia threatens homes in Annapolis Valley

Canadian Press in CityNews Everywhere
September 29, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada East

AYLESFORD — Nova Scotia officials say more evacuation orders are possible as a wildfire in the Annapolis Valley remains out of control. In a social media post, the Department of Natural Resources said a helicopter had been dispatched to gauge the area of the Lake George fire, which at last estimate was roughly 300 hectares in size. The fire broke out Sunday and was declared out of control late Monday, prompting officials to announce an evacuation of nearby campgrounds and homes. Officials said Tuesday residents on Birch Lane, Spruce Drive and Blue Lane at Aylesford Lake’s southwest end should be prepared to evacuated. Dry and windy conditions have helped push the fire from the northern end of Lake George eastward toward the northern end of Aylesford Lake. Evacuees are asked to register at the Louis Millett Community Complex in New Minas, N.S., where services are being offered.

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Crews fighting large forest fire in North Dundas

CBC News
September 22, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada East

North Dundas, Ont., has declared a state of emergency as crews battle a 40-hectare bog and forest fire that broke out Sunday night. The township said Monday the fire is in the Alvin Runnalls Forest near Morewood, south of Russell. So far, the fire has been successfully contained to the forest, the township said, though firefighting efforts have been complicated by the remote nature of the fire and limited access to the forest. The fire appeared to have started in a bog and spread, according to North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser. “Peat fires travel underground,” Fraser said. “It’s grown quite a bit since last night.” …Further rain is forecast on Monday night, with officials hoping to assess its impact on Tuesday morning. …”But bog fires, they can last for months, they can go over winter and crop back up in spring, they’re underground and feed themselves.”

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2 schools closed as crews fight Lethbridge, Newfoundland wildfire

CBC News
September 8, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada East

The local service district of Lethbridge, N.L., is partially evacuated after a wildfire started in a bark pile and its adjacent forest outside Sexton Lumber late Sunday afternoon. The evacuation zone includes the areas of Oldford’s Hill to Southwest Bridge and Bayside Drive and Forest Drive, where the saw mill is located. Anthony Paddon Elementary in Musgravetown has been converted into a reception centre for impacted residents. In a social media post, the school announced that it will be closed to students on Monday, as it supports the efforts of emergency responders. The elementary school in Lethbridge, Hertiage Collegiate, is closed as well. In a social media post the school says more updates will be provided at 10:30 a.m. N.T. Route 233 remains impassible in both directions to all traffic. As of Sunday, three water bombers and ground crews were working the fire, and crews remained on the scene overnight to monitor conditions.

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Long Lake wildfire remains out of control at 8,465 hectares

By Jennifer Heudes
CTV News Saskatoon
September 1, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada East

©Govt of Nova Scotia

The Long Lake wildfire that started August 13 has destroyed 20 homes in Nova Scotia is still out of control, but its size has not changed in the last day. On Monday, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the Long Lake fire is estimated to be 8,465 hectares in size. “The southern end of the fire is the most active area and fire intensity increased with wind today. Helicopters are dropping water on this area so ground crews can safely enter to continue tying up the perimeter and advance inward on the fire,” said DNR in an update on social media. The department said Manitoba’s CL415 planes are being released and will be replaced by two black hawk helicopters which they say are more effective for current needs. …As of Monday, DNR said there have been no new reports of damage.

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20 homes destroyed in Annapolis County wildfire

By Anjuli Patil
CBC News
August 28, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada East

The Nova Scotia government has confirmed 20 homes were destroyed last weekend in the Annapolis County wildfire, which remains out of control and is estimated at 8,234 hectares — or more than 82 square kilometres. According to a news release on Thursday, the residences were destroyed Sunday on West Dalhousie and Thorne roads. Not all of the residences were primary structures. “Our hearts are broken for residents in the West Dalhousie community who’ve lost their homes,” Premier Tim Houston said in a news release. “It’s overwhelming to get that news, it will be a long road to recovery, and I know residents will find comfort through this strong, tight-knit community. The wildfire in the West Dalhousie area of Nova Scotia is still burning out of control and has destroyed 20 homes. The Long Lake fire, which started on Aug. 13, is estimated to be 8,234 hectares in size (or more than 82 square kilometres), as of 11:30 a.m.

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9 active wildfires burn in New Brunswick, 2 out of control

By Oliver Pearson
CBC News
August 27, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada East

Nine wildfires are burning in New Brunswick as of Wednesday evening, two of them out of control. Three fires are contained and four are being patrolled, according to the province. The total number is down from the 17 wildfires burning on Tuesday and the 39 burning 10 days ago. The Beaver Lake Stream fire in Northumberland County, near the Kennedy Lakes Protected Natural Area, is still out of control. The fire was 338 hectares on Tuesday and is now 456 hectares… The Rocky Brook fire is also out of control about 40 kilometres south of Dalhousie and is 175 hectares, down from 204 hectares in the previous report. …Natural Resources Minister John Herron said earlier this week that the wildfire situation is moving in the right direction, especially now that the province is no longer seeing temperatures “flirting with 40 C.” On Monday, he said the wildfire season could run to the end of September and possibly into October.

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Firefighting force on Long Lake wildfire grows to more than 170, plus 17 aircraft and 70 dozers

By Ian Fairclough
The Chronicle Herald
August 28, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada East

©Province of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia — A replacement incident management team from Ontario is in Nova Scotia and taking over at the helm of the Long Lake wildfire for a bit. That will give the team from the Department of Natural Resources a break and time for rest before they return to dealing with the fire, which is now estimated at 8,234 hectares. The handover is a common occurrence in dealing with wildfires in Canada. …Crews are working the entire perimeter of the fire today while continuing to focus on the east side of Paradise Lake, where the closest threatened populated areas are Trout Lake and Albany on Highway 10. Those areas were evacuated Sunday after the fire more than doubled in size and high winds pushed it across West Dalhousie Road. …Evacuations have put more than 1,000 people out of their homes since the fire started.

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More firefighters coming to relieve Nova Scotia crews as wildfire grows to 8,026 hectares

By Andrea Jerrett
CTV News
August 26, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada East

After more than doubling in size on Sunday, the out-of-control wildfire in West Dalhousie, N.S., grew again on Monday – from 7,780 hectares to 8,026 hectares. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says the Long Lake wildfire, which first started on Aug. 13, has now advanced along both sides of Paradise Lake, despite some rainfall Monday. “Yesterday we had a little bit of rain, which was wonderful, so our crews did not have to respond to any (new) wildfire incidents yesterday,” said Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection for DNR, during a news conference Tuesday afternoon. …DNR says crews are focusing on the east side of Paradise Lake as they try to prevent the fire from spreading to Trout Lake. They also continue to build guards in an effort to contain the perimeter north of West Dalhousie Road. …DNR says there are six other wildfires burning in the province, but they are all under control.

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Following destructive wildfires, New Brunswick reopens forest access

By Hina Alam
Halifax City News
August 25, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada East

New Brunswickers will be permitted once again to enter the province’s forests, following a bout of cool weather that has reduced the risk of wildfires, officials said Monday. Starting Tuesday at 12:01 a.m., the province will lift its ban on access to Crown land, parts of which have been scorched in recent weeks by wildfires triggered by drought-like conditions and lightning. “I would like to thank New Brunswickers for their co-operation, for changing their plans for protecting our forests and communities,” Premier Susan Holt said Monday. About two weeks ago, there were 39 active wildfires across the province, and temperatures were close to 40 C with the humidex, said Natural Resources Minister John Herron. But over the past couple of days, temperatures have fallen well into the “very low teens” at night, he said, adding that parts of New Brunswick got rain on Monday, which has helped in firefighting.

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Crews return to Long Lake wildfire’s new front lines after a bad day; financial support set for evacuees

By Aaron Beswick
The Chronicle Herald
August 25, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada East

After a day of terrible setbacks, crews were back at the Long Lake wildfire Monday. Forestry and heavy equipment crews were clearing new fire breaks to replace the old ones that the fire jumped Sunday as it doubled in size to over 7,550 hectares. With damp air promising a bit of rain, wild land crews set up hose lines and put water on the flanks. …crews returned to pumps feeding sprinkler systems around homes and structures in West Dalhousie that they’d been forced to abandon … the day before as strong winds and low humidity fanned the flames into an inferno. “Despite best efforts … that fire responded as we thought it would to the weather yesterday,” said Jim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection for the Department of Natural Resources, on Monday afternoon. “That fire stood up and ran away. It’s a lot larger than it was. Many homes were saved. Some were lost.”

Additional coverage from the Government of Nova Scotia: Homes Damaged by Long Lake Wildfires

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Labor Mountain Fire near Cle Elum consumes 35,000 acres, more fire support on its way

By Stella Sun
KOMO News
September 29, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: US West

@DirtyFreehub

CLE ELUM, Wash. — The Labor Mountain Fire continues to grow near US-96 Blewett Pass, forcing Level 3 “get out now” evacuation orders in and around the area. The fire, which began Sept. 1 from lightning, has forced a 30-mile closure of US-97 between mileposts 149 and 178, affecting the popular recreation area of Blewett Pass. A dozen trailheads, recreation residences, Camp Wahoo, the Teanaway Community Forest, and a historic guard station are at risk. These areas remain under evacuation orders… Marilyn Davis, the Labor Mountain Fire public information officer, said the fire has exceeded 35,000 acres as of Monday, Sept. 29. Just four days prior, on Sept. 25, the fire was only 17,000 acres. The Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest is known for its rugged terrain, “is considered the most rugged of any national forest in the country,” according to the Labor Mountain Inciweb fire update webpage.

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Oregon wildfire updates: Emigrant, Foley Ridge fires continue to burn

By Haleigh Kochanski
The Register-Guard
September 15, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: US West

Two wildfires continue to burn in steep, heavily forested terrain in rural parts of Lane County. The Register-Guard is tracking weather updates, warnings, evacuations and fires. Here’s what you need to know. Foley Ridge Fire: Expect long delays on OR 242: The lightning-caused Foley Ridge Fire is burning just south of OR-242 east of McKenzie Bridge in Lane County. It was first reported on Sept. 6 and has burned at least 414 acres at 0% containment. …Emigrant Fire: On the morning of Sept. 15, the Emigrant Fire, burning in a rural area 20 miles southeast of Oakridge, was reported at 32,347 acres and 34% containment.

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Grove of giant sequoia trees burns in California’s Sierra National Forest

Associated Press
September 9, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: United States, US West

FRESNO, Calif. — A lightning-sparked wildfire in California’s Sierra National Forest burned Tuesday through a grove of giant sequoias and set some of the ancient towering trees on fire. Wildland firefighters with tree-climbing experience were being sent in to put out the fire burning in the canopies of the beloved trees, said Jay Tracy, a spokesperson for the Garnet Fire ablaze in Fresno County. To protect the majestic trees, some estimated to be 3,000 years old, fire crews laid sprinkler lines to increase ground moisture, wrapped the trunks with fire-resistant foil blankets, raked flammable material away from trees and patrolled the area looking for hotspots, he said. … The giant trees rely on low-intensity fire to help open their cones to disperse seeds, and flames clear undergrowth so seedlings can take root and get sunlight. The Garnet Fire, however, is more intense, Tracy said.

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Crews make gains on Root Fire, sparked by campfire that escaped control in Shasta-Trinity

By Jessica Skropanic
Redding Record Searchlight
September 4, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: US West

©USForestService

A campfire that escaped control in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is being blamed for starting the Root Fire that erupted on Labor Day and ballooned to 759 acres west of Castella, prompting evacuations in the area. Flames jumped beyond the campfire’s perimeter about 3 miles west of Interstate 5 at Castella. The fire was reported on Sept. 1 and quickly spread through dry grass and trees… Forest service officials did not release any other information about the incident, which occurred just over two weeks after they activated fire restrictions at Shasta-Trinity due to the hot and dry conditions. Crews attacked the fire from the air and made strong gains. As of Thursday, firefighters had built containment lines around 45% of the fire, up from zero on Wednesday morning. Firefighters expressed hope that several days of cooler weather will help calm Root and other fires, and stop them from spreading through extremely dry forestland.

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Root Fire burns west of I-5. Evacuations and warnings in place in Shasta, Siskiyou counties

By Jessica Skropanic
Redding Record Searchlight
September 2, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: United States, US West

Firefighters are battling the uncontained 300- to 350-acre Root Fire and other lightning-ignited fires on Tuesday morning after the blaze forced evacuations and warnings in communities along the Shasta and Siskiyou counties. Crews fighting the blaze from the air reported a few spot fires burning along the wildfire’s perimeter Tuesday morning, but no new fire starts outside of the burn area. The fire started just before 12:34 p.m. on Monday in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest 3 miles west of Castella and Interstate 5 — at Forest Road 25 and Castle Creek Road, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. …While firefighters are investigating the cause, the U.S. Forest Service reported lightning from thunderstorms ignited multiple fires in the area over the Labor Day weekend.

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Emigrant Fire grows to 23,400 acres as red flag warning issued for Oregon Cascades

By Zach Urness
Statesman Journal
September 2, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: United States, US West

©Emigrant Fire Facebook

A red flag warning was issued for Oregon’s Cascade Mountains on Sept. 2, including for the area of the 23,400 acre Emigrant Fire. The forecast calls for a 20-30% chance of thunderstorms, with little rainfall, that could ignite new fires with lightning strikes. Hot, dry and unstable winds could fuel the growth of Emigrant or other blazes. It’s the beginning of a dangerous period for wildfires across the state before a cooling trend could help moderate fires for the remainder of the season. …“The dry and unstable air may contribute to development of pyrocumulus clouds,” fire crews warned in a Sept. 2 morning report. “These conditions may result in rapid fire growth where slopes and winds align. Similar hot, dry, unstable weather is anticipated to last at least through Thursday, before a cooling trend begins.”

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Flat Fire in Oregon, Update for September 1, 2025

Central Oregon Fire Info
September 1, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: US West

©Govt of Oregon Flickr

SISTERS, Ore.  — The Flat Fire, approximately two miles northeast of Sisters, Oregon, is estimated at 23,346 acres and is 52% contained. Despite critical fire weather, established fire lines have remained secure and suppression repair objectives continue across the incident. The Red Flag Warning is no longer in effect due to a lower chance of strong gusty winds. Hot, dry conditions persist. Today, firefighters will focus on restoring areas impacted by fire response efforts, such as repairing dozer lines and reducing erosion risks. These initiatives strengthen containment and protect the landscape to support long-term recovery. With a unified mission across the fire line, crews continue to make steady progress, bringing the incident closer to full suppression. Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources have demobilized from the Flat Fire. Cooperative firefighting efforts from structural, wildland, and air resources protected homes through extreme fire activity and critical weather conditions. 

Related Content in the Register-Guard by Miranda Cyr: Oregon wildfires: Emigrant Fire continues to grow, conditions expected to worsen

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Border Patrol arrests 2 firefighters for being in the country illegally as they battled Washington’s biggest wildfire

By Celina Tebor
CNN
August 28, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: United States, US West

Border Patrol agents arrested two firefighters Wednesday – who they say were in the United States illegally – while they were working to contain Washington state’s biggest wildfire. …The Bear Gulch Fire on the peninsula has already torched almost 9,000 acres in the Olympic National Forest. …The human-caused wildfire on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula has been burning since July 6 and was just 13% contained as of Thursday. …Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said he is “deeply concerned” about the arrests. Washington Sen. Patty Murray said, “Trump has undercut our wildland firefighting abilities in more ways than one—from decimating the Forest Service and pushing out thousands of critical support staff, to now apparently detaining firefighters on the job.” Under the Biden administration, the Department of Homeland Security said it would not conduct immigration enforcement “at locations where disaster and emergency response and relief is being provided” such as evacuation routes or areas where emergency supplies are being distributed.

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Firefighters and weather are stabilizing Oregon wildfire. Flames so far spare California wineries

By Tammy Webber
The Associate Press in ABC News
August 25, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: US West

A wildfire that destroyed four homes in central Oregon was starting to stabilize on Monday, authorities said, while a blaze in Northern California wine country has so far spared some of the state’s most famous vineyards. Moisture helped the 1,200 firefighters battling Oregon’s Flat Fire, but more work needed to be done. Dry, hot weather had fueled a rapid expansion of the blaze across 34 square miles of rugged terrain in Deschutes and Jefferson counties since the fire began late Thursday. …Officials said firefighters had protective lines of some sort around the entire fire, including roads, but the fire remained at 5% containment. …Meanwhile, the Pickett Fire in Northern California has charred about 10 square miles of remote Napa County, known for its hundreds of wineries. It was 15% contained on Monday. …western United States have been sweltering in a heat wave … with temperatures hitting dangerous levels in Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.

Additional coverage, by Greta Cross in USA Today: Evacuation ordered for California’s Pickett Fire, more than 6,800 acres

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Crews make progress battling sprawling New Jersey wildfire

By Pat Battle and Jennifer Millman
NBC New York
September 4, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: United States, US East

©Facebook

Authorities are making progress as they battle a wildfire that broke out in New Jersey’s Passaic County earlier this week, chewing through 160 acres in a matter of hours as firefighters fought to douse the flames. New Jersey’s Forest Fire Service said Thursday that the so-called Buckabear Wildfire in West Milford Township was 50% contained, a marked improvement from their announcement the previous evening. The 160-acre fire hadn’t grown, acre-wise anyway, since the last announcement either. As of Thursday, no evacuations had been ordered and no structures are threatened. …Firefighting efforts intensified in earnest Wednesday, with a state Forest Fire helicopter dumping water onto the remote wooded area to halt the spread. Deep inside the forest, other crews were armed with shovels, garden hoes and specialized ignition devices — deliberately igniting the dry brush on fire in a controlled burn, They literally fought fire with fire.

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