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B.C. Wildfires Rise to 84 as Dry Lightning Hits Parched South

Forecasters warn dry thunderstorms over highly receptive fuels may trigger more ignitions across southern regions, including Vancouver Island.

The paddle wheeler Constitution passes the container ship GSL Lydia docked at port, while sailing on the harbour as wildfire smoke hangs in the air, in Vancouver, on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Overview

  • BC Wildfire Service reports 84 active fires, up from 68 on Wednesday, with about two dozen burning out of control.
  • Sixteen new starts were recorded in the past 24 hours and 13 fires were declared out.
  • Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Fraser Canyon, Nicola and South Thompson areas, including Lytton and Kamloops, with a thunderstorm warning added for the Similkameen.
  • Parts of the Interior and the coastal fire centre saw dry thunderstorms Friday morning, and further lightning is expected across the southern half of the province, including Vancouver Island.
  • New clusters have appeared in remote areas northwest of Whistler and Pemberton and in the northwest Cariboo, and smoke and haze across much of southern B.C. may increase through the weekend.