Category Archives: Forest Fires

OSOYOOS – The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation alert for dozens of homes and properties that are being threatened by a fire on Anarchist Mountain east of Osoyoos, B.C. Residents on Cougar Court and the Sasquatch Trail should be ready to leave as crews battle a blaze on the mountain. The Anarchist Mountain Fire Department says that as of 4 p.m. the fire was being held, but people are being told to avoid the area “to allow emergency personnel to work safely and efficiently.” The local firefighters are battling the blaze with the help of the BC Wildfire Service and the South Okanagan Task Force, and the cause is under investigation. …Elsewhere in B.C., crews fighting out-of-control wildfires near Boston Bar, B.C., were taking advantage of favourable weather to attack the blazes directly, before fire activity was expected to pick up after tempered behaviour over the weekend.

©BCWildfireService

Crews fighting out-of-control wildfires near Boston Bar, B.C., were taking advantage of favourable weather to attack the fires directly, before fire activity is expected to pick up after tempered behaviour over the weekend. The size of the Brunswick complex of wildfires, consisting of the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires, has changed little since last week with a combined size of more than 188 square kilometres after a weekend of rain and cooler weather. The B.C. Wildfire Service said in an overnight update that crews were also working to protect structures near Boothroyd while establishing fire lines on the southwest flank of the Ainslie Creek wildfire. …An evacuation alert covering 61 properties near Merritt remains in effect, issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, while the Nooaitch Indian Band had also told residents of its main reserve to get ready to leave on short notice last week.

©BC Wildfire Service

Officials reopened Highway 1 through British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon on Saturday, but warned that active wildfire operations continue in the area. The route had been closed since July 7, as the Brunswick wildfire complex near Boston Bar expanded rapidly in size. As of Saturday morning, the Brunswick Creek wildfire on the west side of the canyon was burning at 28.36 square kilometres and the Ainslie Creek wildfire on the east side was burning at 158.47 sq. km. Both fires remain out of control, and multiple evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect. …while Highway 1 had reopened, there was only one lane active in each direction… No stopping is permitted in the wildfire zone, and drivers are urged to watch for signage and crews. [Prior to the closure] “we had issues with numerous folks pulling over at pullouts to take pictures and videos of the fire,” said B.C. Wildfire Service fire information officer Julia Caracni.

Additional coverage in CBC News: Wildfire sparks East Kootenay evacuation alert, weather helps firefight near Boston Bar

©BC Wildfire Service

Dozens of properties in British Columbia’s East Kootenay region are under an evacuation alert as another out-of-control wildfire burns. The Regional District of East Kootenay placed 72 properties in the Premier Lake area under an evacuation alert after the Lussier River fire grew Saturday. It’s the latest B.C. wildfire notice asking people to be prepared to flee since twin blazes near Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon evacuations. Information from the BC Wildfire Service shows one of the two fires has grown since Friday. …The wildfire service is also asking the public to stop behaviours that could hinder their work. An overnight statement from the agency says that since Highway 1 reopened Saturday, between Boston Bar and Jackass Summit, drivers have been speeding through the fire zone and even stopping to film the ongoing firefighting efforts.. … a drone was also seen flying near the Brunswick Creek wildfire while emergency aircrews were fighting the blaze.

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The BC Wildfire Service will continue battling the Brunswick complex overnight with night-vision helicopters dropping water and crews conducting direct attack and patrols. “We are operating 24-hours a day on the complex fires,” the wildfire service said in an online update. The complex includes the 2,621-hectare Brunswick Creek wildfire and the Ainslie Creek fire, now estimated at 15,497 hectares. While down from an earlier estimate of 16,987 hectares, the Ainslie Creek fire has grown significantly since earlier this week. The Brunswick Creek fire, which started July 2, sparked the Ainslie Creek blaze after embers crossed Highway 1, which remains closed through the area. Strong south winds of up to 40 km/h fuelled aggressive fire behaviour Wednesday and are expected to continue overnight, according to an online BCWS update. …The BCWS said fire activity increased Thursday along the west and south flanks of the Ainslie Creek fire. 

©BCWildfireService

As of Wednesday morning, the Brunswick Creek fire near Boston Bar, B.C., has grown to 2,623 hectares and has forced more evacuations as it burns out of control and threatens homes. The fire, which has been burning since July 2, is considered out of control. Several evacuation orders have been issued by the local regional district and nearby First Nations. Just across Highway 1 from the Brunswick Creek fire, the Ainslie Creek fire has burned 16,987 hectares as of 6:50 p.m. PT. An evacuation alert was issued at 7:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday for approximately 61 properties west of Spius Creek including Petit Creek Road and Prospect Creek Forest Service Road. About 230 B.C. Hydro customers in and around the Boston Bar evacuation zone have been without electricity since Tuesday afternoon. Highway 1 near Boston Bar is closed in both directions as a result of the two fires. Both fires are suspected to be caused by human activity.

© BC Wildfire Service

The B.C. Wildfire Service says a large column of smoke could be seen on Tuesday as hot, windy conditions increased fire behaviour at two wildfires burning in the Fraser Canyon. The Brunswick Creek wildfire is located on the west side of the Fraser River. Ainslie Creek, sparked by embers from the Brunswick blaze, is burning an estimated 695 hectares across the river to the northeast. “Hot, dry weather and windy conditions drove elevated fire behaviour and fire growth today. Wind and elevated fire behaviour are anticipated into this evening,” BCWS said. A thick blanket of smoke from the fires and falling ash blew into Kamloops on Tuesday evening. Air quality advisories have been issued. As of Tuesday afternoon, BCWS estimated the larger Brunswick Creek wildfire has now burned 1,800 hectares. …firefighters are working to prevent the wildfire from affecting nearby communities and the Trans-Canada Highway corridor, which was closed to traffic Tuesday afternoon.

Related coverage in CFJC Today: Smoke from distant fire darkens Kamloops sky to eerie hue

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One home has been lost in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., as firefighters battle a wildfire that forced residents from their homes on June 28. …Fort Simpson Mayor Les Wright told CBC News on Monday afternoon that around 20 more people had left. The community of about 1,300 people was ordered to evacuate to Yellowknife, more than 600 kilometres away, over a week ago. …wildfire information officer Forrest Tower said the fire, which as of a Monday afternoon update was over 15,000 hectares in size, is expected to continue to grow this week, but that growth would be to the north — away from the community — and there is currently no threat to the village itself. Tower said winds are bringing smoke into town, making it challenging for crews to fly, but fire behaviour has diminished. Tower said another 25 firefighters are expected to arrive in Fort Simpson on Monday.

©BC Wildfire Service

Environment Canada has issued an air quality warning Monday for the area around Boston Bar, B.C., where a wildfire is burning for its fifth day. The Brunswick Creek wildfire, located about 55 kilometres north of Hope, was estimated at 12.3 square kilometres (1,230 hectares) in size on Monday and was burning in steep terrain, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS). The wildfire did not grow overnight, though the BCWS noted aviation operations have been restricted due to poor visibility and high winds, which pose a risk for responder safety and can affect air operations. Fire information officer Sam Bellion said embers from the fire had also sparked three new spot fires, two of which were under control while the other had grown to 73 hectares in size. Weather conditions are also challenging. “Relative humidity continues to drop today, with elevated winds on Tuesday and Wednesday gusting of up to 40 to 50 kilometres per hour,” Bellion said.

©BC Wildfire Service

An aggressive wildfire burning near Boston Bar, B.C., has grown sharply and has forced evacuation orders and alerts in some communities in the Fraser Canyon. The Brunswick Creek wildfire has grown from about 100 hectares on Saturday to more than 1,200 hectares, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. It is now listed as a wildfire of note — the only fire categorized as such in the province. The wildfire service uses that category for fires that are creating an increased level of public interest and to make response information easier to find. Officials detected the Brunswick Creek fire on July 2 burning near the community of Boston Bar, along Highway 1. It is believed to have been sparked by human activity. The Fraser Valley Regional District has issued an evacuation order for the entire community of North Bend and the surrounding area extending north along Chaumox Road, affecting about 146 properties.

Additional coverage in the Vancouver Sun by Tiffany Crawford: Evacuation order issued for out-of-control wildfire near Boston Bar

©NWT Fire

Residents of Fort Simpson, N.W.T., have been ordered to evacuate due to a nearby wildfire. The Village of Fort Simpson issued the evacuation order at 7:10 p.m. MT on Sunday. Residents are advised to head for Yellowknife. …An evacuation alert was issued Friday evening warning people to be prepared to leave on short notice, after a fire was detected about 10 kilometres from Fort Simpson’s airport. As of Sunday, the fire was about seven kilometres away. A fire information officer told CBC News the fire is not expected to reach the community overnight. The Village of Fort Simpson also declared a local state of emergency on Sunday evening. It said on Facebook that gas stations will remain open 24/7… The community of about 1,300 is approximately 600 kilometres, or a 7-hour drive, from Yellowknife, and requires crossing a ferry at the Liard River. …the ferry is running 24 hours so people can drive out.

Cougar Mountain Fire ©BCWS

Firefighters are battling 11 new out-of-control wildfires that broke out Wednesday in B.C., as hot and dry conditions mix with lightning strikes in some areas. Two of the new rapidly spreading wildfires that ignited Wednesday are south of Lillooet, including the Riley Creek wildfire, located about 25 kilometres south of Lillooet. Both are believed to have been ignited by lightning. In Lytton the Saw Creek wildfire forced evacuations and a highway closure on Friday. That fire is considered to be under control as of Tuesday. …Firefighters were also called out to another quick moving wildfire that sparked Wednesday evening between Whistler and Pemberton. Fire officials say the .06-square-kilometre blaze was also ignited by lighting. Overall there are 39 wildfires burning in B.C., including 23 that broke out between Tuesday and Wednesday night, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

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The Saw Creek blaze that triggered evacuations in and around the community of Lytton, B.C., is now being held, the provincial wildfire service reported on Tuesday. The status of the seven-square-kilometre blaze discovered last Friday was downgraded after a days-long battle involving about 200 firefighters. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Village of Lytton ended evacuation orders and alerts on Tuesday for approximately 230 properties in the area, labelling them as “all clear,” and a stretch of Hwy. 1 that had been closed due to the wildfire risk was re-opened. Tricia Thorpe, a director with the regional district, said she’s relieved to hear the news, though there is also sadness that the fire destroyed at least one home. “Moving from that red flame to the yellow is huge when you watch B.C. wildfire maps,” she said, describing the colour-coded system used online by the fire service to identify the status of a fire.

©BCWildfireService

Firefighters battling a wildfire near Lytton, B.C., say cooler temperatures and light winds helped overnight but that fire activity could increase throughout the day as temperatures climb. An update posted online Sunday by the BC Wildfire Service says crews overnight prioritized the protection and defence of structures near the Saw Creek wildfire burning south of Lytton. The report says firefighters and aircraft continue to focus on securing the perimeter of the communities near the fire. It says temperatures are expected to be between the mid-20s to low-30s on Sunday and relative humidity will trend lower, “meaning there is the potential for fire activity to increase throughout the day.” The latest estimate puts the size of the out-of-control fire at about seven square-kilometres, up slightly from Saturday. The wildfire has triggered evacuation orders and alerts in the area, affecting more than 230 properties, while also shutting down a more than 115-kilometre stretch of Highway 1.

Additional coverage from CBC by Shaurya Kshatri and Sarah Penton: ‘How can this be happening again?’: Lytton residents face another wildfire

The wildfire in Wood Buffalo near the Whooping Crane nesting area is currently estimated to be 53,000 hectares in size and remains out of control. Aircraft operations were halted today because of weather conditions and safety concerns. Rainfall brought some level of reduced fire activity. There were no new fires reported as of this afternoon. Crews observed lowered fire behaviour overall, but are concerned about hot spots located on the fire’s border. Currently, 176 personnel, 15 helicopters and 6 fuel bowsers are being mobilized in response to fire located about 22 km northeast of Highway 5. The fire was last estimated to be 53,124 hectares in size. Crews said a 200-foot ceiling between the treetops and cloud cover have complicated the response. …Today, firefighters continued evaluations of the wildfire situation and prepared for team transitions. …Scans yesterday taken by crews showed that there are hundreds of hot spots along the south border of the fire.

©BCWildfireService

Nearly two dozen properties remain under an evacuation alert Wednesday as a massive wildfire burning out of control in the British Columbia Interior continues to grow. The Cariboo Regional District issued the alert for 22 parcels of land near the Swede Creek wildfire, which the district says poses “potential danger to life and health.” The alert urges residents inside the 18,000-hectare fire warning zone to prepare to flee the area on short notice. People in the evacuation alert area are advised to keep their personal vehicles fully fueled and prepare grab-and-go bags with essential items for a rapid departure if the alert turns into an evacuation order. The wildfire near Comstock Lake, southwest of Prince George, measures approximately 1,815 hectares, or just over 18 square kilometres, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. The agency has charted the fire’s growth from 150 hectares on Monday to 800 hectares on Tuesday morning and 1,300 by the afternoon.

Four new fires have been reported in Wood Buffalo and the Northwest Territories. The fire near the Whooping Crane nesting area, about 22 kilometres northeast of Highway 5, has more than doubled in size since last week. It remains the largest wildfire in Canada, according to data collected by the Canadian Wildland’s information system. About 39,907 hectares at last measure, park Firefighters reported that the blaze remained within the Wood Buffalo boundary this weekend despite significant growth at the weekend’s start. Crews, including 41 fire personnel have been responding to the fire, with the support of seven helicopters and a bowser. Officials reported that “cooler” and “wetter” weather last night along with “favourable” northwestern winds helped to alleviate conditions that allowed for a more effective fire response on Saturday. …The latest updates on wildfires in the territory are available on www.nwtfire.com

Seven fires were burning at one point Thursday in northwestern Manitoba between The Pas and Cranberry Portage, reigniting fears embedded by the ferocious 2025 wildfire season. “The last couple of years we’ve had some pretty intense situations,” said Lori Forbes, the municipal emergency co-ordinator for the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, which encompasses 10 communities in that region. “So I think everyone that lives here and was part of last year is … pretty much on edge, especially with this heat wave we’re going to be receiving.” She expects there will be fires over the next few months, “but hopefully they can be managed by Manitoba Wildfire Service and we can all enjoy our summer like we deserve. “Every year we do this, we’re a little better prepared.” The fires burning Thursday were all around Egg Lake, on the west side of Highway 10. 

©SPSA Facebook

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says the Lobstick Fire has reached 19,000 hectares in size but has not grown since Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Crews continue suppression efforts on the fire that is slightly bigger than the size of Regina. Type 1 and Type 2 firefighters, supported by heavy equipment, water tenders, local fire departments and aircraft, are working on both flanks of the fire. Officials say aircraft have successfully anchored the head of the fire into Callaghan Lake, while crews on the east flank near Macdowall continue building dozer lines and extinguishing hot spots. The Hamlet of Holbein, which is 11 km northeast of the fires’ northeast boundaries, is surrounded by irrigation lines feeding perimeter sprinkler heads. A fire guard was also constructed on the southwest corner of the community. …The blaze has triggered an evacuation order for the RM of Shellbrook, with has affected about 130 people so far. 

Cooler temperatures and recent rainfall are helping wildfire crews contain fires across northwestern Ontario after a stretch of hot, windy conditions sparked multiple new blazes late last week. As of late Monday afternoon, there were five active fires in the northwest region, according to Ontario’s fire map. One fire near Dryden is not under control, at about 150 hectares. Five fires are being held, and three are under control. “Recent wet weather is really helping to moderate conditions following multiple new fire starts that happened late last week in the northwest region amid some high winds and some warm temperatures,” said fire information officer Chris Marchand. Marchand said overnight rainfall has already helped crews make progress, particularly in the Fort Frances fire management area.

The government says it is fighting three fires in the Northwest Territories, and it says humans caused two of the fires. It says one human-caused wildfire in the South Slave region is under control. It says the fire measuring about 0.0001 square kilometres, or roughly the size of a large house, began on Monday. The Environment and Climate Change website describes the blaze as a “camp fire escaped.” The government says it is also fighting an out-of-control overwintering fire, scorching about 0.05 square kilometres in the South Slave region that began on May 9. An overwinter fire is one that remains dormant or undetected for a considerable amount of time after it starts. The government says the overwinter fire was found using infrared scanning along the perimeter of the Fort Providence wildfire last year. It says firefighters will attack hotspots found by scanning and get rid of the “remaining heat” using heavy equipment.

Crews fighting to contain a fire threatening homes mere kilometres from the community of Whitecourt are bracing for gusting winds Wednesday that could fan the flames. The wildfire, which now spans across more than 50 hectares of forest in Woodlands County, has forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes. The wildfire continues to burn near homes in the area of West Ridge. As of Tuesday night, the fire remained approximately 3.5 km southeast of the Town of Whitecourt and less than 1 km south of Highway 43. As the evacuation enters its third day, the forecast could prove critical in how the fire-fight unfolds. Officials said strong wind gusts Wednesday could make conditions more challenging but they hope cooler temperatures and calm winds prevail. …at least one home has been lost to the flames. …As of Tuesday evening, approximately 150 families, 424 individuals and 350 pets had registered (at the evacuation centre).

©BCWildfireService

A wildfire burning out of control on the Sunshine Coast has more than tripled in size since it was sparked on Monday. The Earle Creek wildfire is burning in a remote area of Old Egmont, across from the Skookumchuck Narrows. Erika Berg, an information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), said the fire has grown to an estimated eight hectares in size, as of Tuesday afternoon. “The fire is burning in some heavy coastal timber, and so we’re seeing the fire growing a little bit, creeping along the ground,” Berg said. Dawn Henderson said she was working at the Bathgate General Store in Egmont when she saw the smoke … and has been fielding calls from concerned residents since it started. The wildfire is burning close to structures, but none of them have been impacted by the fire, according to the BCWS.

Residents of Woodlands County impacted by a wildfire south of Highway 43, east of Range Road 114 are being ordered to evacuate. The area includes the West Ridge subdivision. The order was given on the evening of May 11 after the wildfire was spotted earlier in the afternoon, approximately 3.5 kilometres south of Whitecourt, according to Woodlands County. According to Alberta Wildfire, the fire is approximately 75 hectares in size and the county noted that firefighters and helicopters are responding. “All residents in the affected area must evacuate immediately,” the county stated on the evening of May 11.  “Gather pets, important documentation, and medication.” …Meanwhile, another wildfire in the Whitecourt Forest Area first spotted on May 10 grew to be 11.67 ha in size and is currently being held, according to Alberta Wildfire. The fire started burning 22 km northeast of the Town of Whitecourt and east of Blue Ridge Haul Road, according to Alberta Wildfire.