NOTE: THIS STORY WILL NO LONGER BE UPDATED AS OF SEPT. 9, 2021.
Wildfires ignited around the province this year, scorching about one million hectares in one of B.C.’s most devastating fire seasons.
Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and thousands more were on evacuation alert due to wildfire danger.
At the peak of the fire season, there were about 40 wildfires of note burning in the province.
A wildfire of note means it is especially visible or poses a threat to public safety.
The province declared a state of emergency due to the fires burning.
Map of wildfires burning around B.C.
Zoom into and move around the map above to see the location of the wildfires in B.C.
Kamloops Fire Centre
Sparks Lake
This wildfire is burning 15 kilometres north of Kamloops Lake.
It is an estimated 89,627 hectares in size after being discovered on June 28.
Sept. 8 will be the last day as a Fire of Note for the Sparks Lake wildfire. BCWS.SparksLakeInfo@gov.bc.ca and phone number 778 364-1265 will remain active for those looking for information regarding this incident.
Evacuations
Previous evacuations have been rescinded.
The remaining alert in place for the Skeetchestn Indian Band was rescinded on Sept 1.
Nearby communities may see smoke within the fire’s perimeter over the coming weeks. Smoke appearing from within the fire perimeter and burned material is common; however, smoke that rises from green, unburned fuel, that is near or from outside a fire’s perimeter should be reported.
Tremont Creek
This wildfire is burning approximately 8.5 kilometres southeast of Ashcroft and is estimated at 62,524 hectares in size.
The fire is classified as under control, which means that (with the resources currently committed to the fire) sufficient suppression action has been taken that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions.
Hunters: Please note that an area restriction is in effect for this fire and hunting is not recommended within the area indicated in the attached map. This restriction is to provide for the safety and security of wildland firefighters.
Sept. 8 will be the last day as a Fire of Note for the Tremont Creek wildfire. BCWS.SparksLakeInfo@gov.bc.ca and phone number 778 364-1265 will continue to remain active for those looking for information regarding this incident.
Evacuations
One evacuation alert remains in place through the Lower Nicola Indian Band.
White Rock Lake
This massive fire is an estimated 83,342 hectares.
The heart of the fire is burning 34 kilometres northwest of Vernon, but it has two large flanks that have grown north and eastward.
The BC Wildfire Service has officially reclassified the fire as being held, meaning it wasn’t expected to grow any further under forecast conditions.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, objectives will remain fairly static over the next week(s) as most of the fire is in patrol status.
Division Bravo (east flank): Action hotspots above cherry orchard by Sept. 8th. Complete extinguishment of Fintry guard by Sept. 14th. Continue mop up along Bear Road. Gear retrieval and demob.
Division Charlie (northeast flank, south of Glenemma): Complete mop-up of Irish Creek excursion and guard by Sept. 7th. Monitor Ewer Creek control lines on both sides of the valley. Gear retrieval and demob.
Division Yankee (north flank): Extinguish all scanned hotspots in perimeter north of Highway 97 and in western perimeter south of Highway 97 by Sept 7th. 100-foot patrol along southeastern perimeter toward Div Charlie by Sept. 10th. Action visible hotpots along road networks and property lines in Paxton Valley. Gear retrieval and demob.
Division Zulu (west flank): Complete hotspotting from latest scan data and mop up along Div Z perimeter by Sept. 8th. 100-foot patrol on east division towards Div Alpha by Sept. 8th. Gear retrieval and demob.
Division Alpha (south flank): Aerial resources continue to monitor this flank of the fire.
Evacuations
Due to the dynamic situation of the White Rock Lake wildfire, please refer to your local government for specific updates on evacuation orders and alerts.
Columbia-Shuswap Regional District (CSRD)
An Evacuation Order and Alert are in effect. For more information, please contact the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District/250-833-3350.
Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO)
An Evacuation Order is in effect. For more information, please contact the Regional District of North Okanagan/250-550-3700.
Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD)
An Evacuation Order and Alert are in effect. For more information, please contact the Thompson- Nicola Regional District/250-377-7188.
Splatsin
An Evacuation Alert for IR#1: Salmon River is in effect. For more information, please contact Splatsin/250-838-6496.
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Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB)
An Evacuation Order and Alert are in effect. For more information, please contact the Okanagan Indian Band/OKIBEOCInformationOfficer@okanagan.org/250-241-5809.
Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO)
An Evacuation Order and Alert are in effect. For more information, please contact the Regional District of Central Okanagan/250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
City of Vernon
An Evacuation Alert is in effect. For more information, please contact The City of Vernon.
Township of Spallumcheen
An Evacuation Alert is in effect. For more information, please contact The Township of Spallumcheen.
The City of Armstrong, The City of Kamloops and The Village of Chase have all rescinded Evacuation Alerts.
Coastal Fire Centre
No wildfires of note.
Prince George Fire Centre
Cutoff Creek
This wildfire, two kilometres north of Big Bend Arm, and around 135 km southwest of Prince George, is estimated to be 33,418 hectares in size.
It is now classified as being held.
Crews scanning areas that have been patrolled; working east off the Kluskus on scanned spots and scanning finger near Crystal Lake to assess patrolled areas. Crews patrolling and extinguishing unguarded sections on finger near Crystal Lake; monitoring line along Johnson Lake.
Evacuations
Previous evacuations have been rescinded.
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Saik’uz First Nation, and BC Parks have rescinded their evacuation alert effective Sept. 4 at 9 p.m.
Please check the RDBN website for details: www.rdbn.bc.ca
Southeast Fire Centre
Octopus Creek
This fire is burning around nine kilometres southeast of Edgewood, on the west side of Lower Arrow Lake.
Burning in steep and inoperable terrain, and it is an estimated 22,049 hectares.
It is now classified as being held, meaning it is not expected to grow beyond its current boundaries under forecast conditions. Smoke may be visible to the communities of Renata, Edgewood and Fauquier.
As the warming and drying trend continues, fire behaviour continues to increase, with continued rank 2 (low vigour) and now pockets of rank 3 (moderately vigorous) surface fire now observed in heavy timber. An uptake in north winds challenged fire suppression efforts on Sept. 6. As winds build, smoke will continue to be visible from within the perimeter as the fire consumes pockets of unburned fuels.
Evacuations
The Regional District of Central Kootenay has rescinded an evacuation alert on the north side of the fire as of Aug. 24. An evacuation alert is still in effect on the south side of the fire.
Northwest Fire Centre
There are no wildfires of note.
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