B.C. Wildfires 2021

A wildfire burns on a mountain above the Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021. British Columbia is reporting a slight increase in the number of active wildfires but cooler temperatures and forecasts of rain ahead could bring some relief. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. wildfire count nears 250 but cooler temperatures, light rain bring some relief

The joint information centre says there have been 1,275 wildfires since April 1

 

The sky glows orange as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on a mountain in the distance above Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck.

Severe wildfires could affect community watersheds, says forest service researcher

Water supply downstream is generally expected to be affected when about 20 per cent of a watershed is burned

 

A tree candles as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns behind the IG Machine & Fibers roofing granule plant, where rock is crushed and coloured and then shipped elsewhere to create roofing shingles, in Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Billions in losses, thousands could die if wildfire response unchanged: report

‘If you look at record-breaking seasons, we’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars on fire suppression’

 

A helicopter carrying a bucket flies past a property at Barnes Lake while battling the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Heat warning in effect for B.C. as firefighters battle wildfires in province

There are 60 evacuation orders affecting 3,120 properties, an increase of 62

A helicopter carrying a bucket flies past a property at Barnes Lake while battling the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)

B.C. offers $1,200 to wildfire evacuees out more than 10 days

Red Cross program distributes aid for Lytton residents, others

Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)
A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Showers in forecast for some B.C. wildfires, but lightning also possible

But heat warnings or special weather statements now cover much of B.C.

A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Nk’Mip Creek Wildfire is over 6,500 hectares and growing. (BC Wildfire Service Twitter)

More burned in 2021 wildfires so far than all of last year

More than 450,000 hectares have burned in B.C. so far in 2021

The Nk’Mip Creek Wildfire is over 6,500 hectares and growing. (BC Wildfire Service Twitter)
Helicopter takes off from the B.C. Wildfire Service Southeast Fire Centre in Castlegar, July 21, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

Long-awaited rain, clearing smoke ahead for southern B.C. wildfires

Heat to give way to cooler, unsettled weather over long weekend

Helicopter takes off from the B.C. Wildfire Service Southeast Fire Centre in Castlegar, July 21, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)

Campfire ban lifted in Prince George area as wildfire risk remains high elsewhere in B.C.

Campfires allowed throughout Prince George, Northwest Fire Centres

Campfire. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)
A man takes a photo and a woman eats an ice cream cone as they stop to view the Tremont Creek wildfire burning on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. wildfire crews watchful as latest heat wave arrives

Hot temperatures and a drop in relative humidity means fires are expected to be more intense

A man takes a photo and a woman eats an ice cream cone as they stop to view the Tremont Creek wildfire burning on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
125 properties are now under evacuation order due to the Flat Lake fire.

UPDATE: Evacuation order issued for Bonaparte Plateau area

TNRD order impacts 125 properties west of 70 Mile

125 properties are now under evacuation order due to the Flat Lake fire.
Some wildfire smoke — such as this plume from the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, photographed from the Ashcroft Indian Band on July 21 — is obvious. Know what to do if you’re not sure you’re seeing smoke from a fire. (Photo credit: Gary Winslow)

Where there’s smoke there might be fire

If you’re reporting what you think is wildfire smoke, here are a few things to keep in mind

  • Jul 29, 2021
Some wildfire smoke — such as this plume from the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, photographed from the Ashcroft Indian Band on July 21 — is obvious. Know what to do if you’re not sure you’re seeing smoke from a fire. (Photo credit: Gary Winslow)
Yes, Ashcroft is out there, and no, the photo has not been manipulated. The picture was taken on July 24 from Highway 97C near Mesa Vista Drive looking northwest, and shows thick wildfire smoke enveloping the town. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

Wildfire smoke becoming more common and lasting longer

Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can have serious physical and mental health impacts

Yes, Ashcroft is out there, and no, the photo has not been manipulated. The picture was taken on July 24 from Highway 97C near Mesa Vista Drive looking northwest, and shows thick wildfire smoke enveloping the town. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
Smoke from the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft on July 13, 2021. (Photo credit: Mona D’Amours)

Some orders and alerts downgraded for Tremont Creek wildfire

Evacuation order remains in place for Lytton Creek fire near Spences Bridge

Smoke from the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft on July 13, 2021. (Photo credit: Mona D’Amours)
Barney Bentall, Dan Fremlin, Dustin Bentall and Trixie Berkel perform during a benefit concert for Lytton in Clinton Friday, July 23. (Kelly Sinoski photo - 100 Mile Free Press).

Clinton benefit concerts raise over $8,000 for Lytton

Barney and Dustin Bentall and the Blue Wranglers raise funds for Lytton museums, Red Cross

Barney Bentall, Dan Fremlin, Dustin Bentall and Trixie Berkel perform during a benefit concert for Lytton in Clinton Friday, July 23. (Kelly Sinoski photo - 100 Mile Free Press).
The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)

Smoke from B.C. wildfires creating issues for those with respiratory illnesses

The wildfire smoke has made it difficult to be outside for some

The skies above Osoyoos are thick with smoke from the nearby Nk’Mip Creek wildfire. (Twila Amato /Black Press Media)
Oliver RCMP Const. Walsh feeds a very hungry pig that was without a food source during recent evacuations from the Nk’Mip fire. (contributed)

Oliver Mountie helps hungry pig left behind during Nk’Mip fire evacuations

The officer brought produce to the pig for two days

Oliver RCMP Const. Walsh feeds a very hungry pig that was without a food source during recent evacuations from the Nk’Mip fire. (contributed)
An aerial photo from the White Rock Lake wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

BC Wildfire: ‘Wind is our greatest enemy’ for Okanagan blazes

High temperatures but lack of wind seen as favourable to progress on wildfires

An aerial photo from the White Rock Lake wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)
Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet, spokesperson for the B.C. RCMP, speaks to Emergency Management B.C. briefing, July 27, 2021. (B.C. government video)

Follow local evacuation orders, B.C. Wildfire Service urges

Crews, aircraft diverted to rescue holdouts trapped by fires

Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet, spokesperson for the B.C. RCMP, speaks to Emergency Management B.C. briefing, July 27, 2021. (B.C. government video)
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)