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Summit Lake Wildfire Expands Overnight, Closes B.C.'s Alaska Highway

Prolonged drought coupled with gusty winds has fueled aggressive fire behavior, prompting evacuation alerts along the Alaska Highway.

Plumes of smoke from a wildfire, designated "G90413" by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are shown from the air near Summit Lake in a Monday, June 2, 2025, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-B.C. Wildfire Service, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Overview

  • The Summit Lake fire grew significantly overnight, expanding to an estimated 21 square kilometres since its discovery last Wednesday.
  • The blaze, suspected to be human-caused, has burned southeast toward the Alaska Highway with reports of aggressive fire behavior.
  • Highway 97 between Steamboat and Toad River remains closed as crews work to contain the spreading fire.
  • Evacuation alerts cover properties along the closed section of highway, urging residents to be prepared to leave on short notice.
  • The B.C. Wildfire Service reports that just over half of the province’s 70 active wildfires are burning out of control under forecasts of hot, dry and windy weather.