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3w ago

Wildfires Climb Past 80 in B.C. as Heat Wave Lingers

Tinder-dry conditions from the ongoing heat are driving a surge in new fire starts across the province.

People and pets stay cool in the North Saskatchewan River at Accidental Beach on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in Edmonton as temperatures hit 31 C. Greg Southam-Postmedia
Andrea Franko from Alberta Wildfire uses a drip torch to create controlled burns against wildfires near Saprae Creek south of Fort McMurray on April 24, 2025.
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Peachland, B.C., on Monday September 10, 2012. The number of active wildfires in British Columbia has leapt by about 10 following several days of hot, sunny weather. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Kevin Wiebe with a pallet of water donated to the Hope Mission for the hot weather response on on Monday, August 25, 2025. Hope Mission is asking the community to help care for the most vulnerable during this excessive heatwave. The needs of those experiencing homelessness are significant during this spike in temperatures. Community members become easily dehydrated, and are also vulnerable to heatstroke and severe sunburn during the hot weather.

Overview

  • BC Wildfire Service reported more than 80 active fires on Thursday, up from 68 a day earlier, with 19 new starts and as many as 17 to about 20 listed as out of control.
  • Clusters of new ignitions were reported in the northwestern Cariboo region, and several new blazes were detected Thursday in conservancy areas northwest of Whistler.
  • Heat warnings remain for parts of the southern Interior and the inland north coast, with highs of 34–38 C forecast for the Fraser Canyon and South Thompson as Metro Vancouver’s smog advisory is lifted.
  • Daily records continued to fall on Aug. 27, including 40.1 C in Lytton, 39.5 C in Cache Creek and 37 C in Kamloops, with Fort Nelson tying its previous mark.
  • Campfire bans took effect Thursday in the Cariboo and Kamloops fire centres, joining the Coastal ban, as authorities urged compliance heading into the Labour Day weekend.