B.C. Wildfires 2021

A new fire is burning near the Bombi Summit. Map: BC Wildfire Service

UPDATE: Person-caused fire on Bombi Summit near Castlegar now under control

The new fire is just a few kilometres away from the July 10 fire

A new fire is burning near the Bombi Summit. Map: BC Wildfire Service
The Akokli Creek wildfire on July 21. Photo: BC Wildfire Service

Two Kootenay Lake wildfires total 4,500 hectares

Akokli Creek and Cultus Creek wildfires are located near the south arm of Kootenay Lake

The Akokli Creek wildfire on July 21. Photo: BC Wildfire Service
A helicopter drops water on a fire at Gogo’s Christmas Tree Farm on Monday, July 26. (Photo courtesy Brian Irwin)

800 Christmas trees burn in fire at Nanaimo tree farm

Firefighting crews, including helicopters, battle fire all night

A helicopter drops water on a fire at Gogo’s Christmas Tree Farm on Monday, July 26. (Photo courtesy Brian Irwin)
B.C. currently has 250 active wildfires, as weather forecast continues hot and dry across the southern half of the province. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

B.C.’s active wildfires fall to 250, evacuation orders up to 61

Area burned reaches one third of 2018 record season

B.C. currently has 250 active wildfires, as weather forecast continues hot and dry across the southern half of the province. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
Two officers with a dog who was found after the Lytton fire. (Contributed/BC SPCA)

Help pets evacuated from B.C. wildfires by adopting animals from the BC SPCA

The BC SPCA is looking to make room in its shelters to accommodate evacuated pets

Two officers with a dog who was found after the Lytton fire. (Contributed/BC SPCA)
Wildfires in the West Kootenay. To enlarge, click on the map at the bottom of the story. Map: BC Wildfire Dashboard screenshot

Controlled burn planned for Trozzo Creek fire near Winlaw

To begin July 27 or later, depending on conditions

Wildfires in the West Kootenay. To enlarge, click on the map at the bottom of the story. Map: BC Wildfire Dashboard screenshot
A plume of smoke rise from a forest fire burning northeast of the city in Prince Albert, Sask., Monday, May 17, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Kayle Neis) A plume of smoke rise from a forest fire burning northeast of the city in Prince Albert, Sask., Monday, May 17, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Kayle Neis)

Fires in Western Canada creating own weather systems, experts say

Pyrocumulonimbus storm tied to Lytton wildfire still travelling around the world

A plume of smoke rise from a forest fire burning northeast of the city in Prince Albert, Sask., Monday, May 17, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Kayle Neis) A plume of smoke rise from a forest fire burning northeast of the city in Prince Albert, Sask., Monday, May 17, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Kayle Neis)
The Octopus Creek fire seen from Edgewood on July 18. Photo: Jeannie Little

Edgewood fire evacuation order downgraded to alert

Hundreds allowed to return home

The Octopus Creek fire seen from Edgewood on July 18. Photo: Jeannie Little
Firefighter lights a back-burn to interrupt the spread of a B.C. forest fire in the summer of 2017. Preventive burns have been advocated since after the 2003 Okanagan Mountain fires. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

B.C. forest fuel load becoming priority after decades of warnings

Prescribed burning urged since 2003 Okanagan wildfires

Firefighter lights a back-burn to interrupt the spread of a B.C. forest fire in the summer of 2017. Preventive burns have been advocated since after the 2003 Okanagan Mountain fires. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
Firefighters from Mexico walk across the tarmac after arriving on a charter flight in Abbotsford, B.C, on Saturday, July 24, 2021. Ninety-nine firefighters will assist B.C. as the province deals with hundreds of wildfires burning in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Expert: climate change expected to bring longer wildfire seasons and more area burned

4,090 square kilometres scorched so far, about four times B.C.’s year-to-date averages

Firefighters from Mexico walk across the tarmac after arriving on a charter flight in Abbotsford, B.C, on Saturday, July 24, 2021. Ninety-nine firefighters will assist B.C. as the province deals with hundreds of wildfires burning in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Suppression equipment was stolen from a trailer at the Beasley Fire Hall. Photo: Beasley Fire Department

$40K in fire suppression equipment stolen from Beasley Fire Department

Locks cut on structure protection unit trailer

Suppression equipment was stolen from a trailer at the Beasley Fire Hall. Photo: Beasley Fire Department
The Lumby OAP Hall had a new roof installed in the summer of 2019. (Facebook)

Lumby hall opens to Kootenay wildfire evacuees

‘It takes a village and we are that village’

The Lumby OAP Hall had a new roof installed in the summer of 2019. (Facebook)
White Rock Lake wildfire on July 25, 2021. (BC Wildfire Service)

Wildfire worries continue: Fire risk remains high to extreme over most of southern B.C.

Above average temperatures for many parts of B.C. aren’t expected to ease soon

White Rock Lake wildfire on July 25, 2021. (BC Wildfire Service)
A helicopter with a water bucket flies past the Tremont Creek wildfire burning on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Doctors, air pollution experts forecast worsening health effects of wildfire smoke

Advice for a five-day episode doesn’t work when you’re talking about an entire potential season

A helicopter with a water bucket flies past the Tremont Creek wildfire burning on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire report author says heat dome highlights need for new plans in wildfire fight

Criticism from local Indigenous leaders about the 2021 response suggests some of the same problems remain

The Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Okanagan Corrections Centre. (Phil McLachlan - Western News)

Some inmates evacuated from Okanagan Correctional Centre due to Nk’Mip wildfire

The individuals were evacuated as a precautionary measure

Okanagan Corrections Centre. (Phil McLachlan - Western News)
Garibaldi Lake Provincial Park, near Whistler, by Jennifer Mets. Amateur Photographer of the Year entry.

Wildfire crew looking for newly started fire finds B.C. hiker missing for 2 weeks

Squamish RCMP says the hiker missing in the park for two weeks was found safe on Thursday

Garibaldi Lake Provincial Park, near Whistler, by Jennifer Mets. Amateur Photographer of the Year entry.
Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. says expanding emergency alert for wildfires is a priority, but no timeline set

About 4,300 properties were under evacuation orders Thursday due to wildfires

Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Trozzo Creek fire, July 21. Photo: BC Wildfire Service

Evacuation order for Trozzo Creek fire reduced

32 properties still remain on an evacuation order

The Trozzo Creek fire, July 21. Photo: BC Wildfire Service
The Cultus Creek fire evacuation order area. Map: B.C. Wildfire Service

Evacuation order issued for Cultus Creek wildfire

Order covers residences on the west shore of the south arm of Kootenay Lake

The Cultus Creek fire evacuation order area. Map: B.C. Wildfire Service