Vancouver (Richa Walia) – The number of wildfires raging across British Columbia surged this week as hot, dry weather gave way to thunderstorms and lightning, igniting dozens of new blazes in the province’s southern regions.
According to BC Wildfire Service figures released Friday, active fires jumped to more than 110, up from 68 on Wednesday. Over 40 are classified as out of control, a sharp increase compared to only a handful earlier this week. Officials reported 37 new fire starts in the past 24 hours, while 10 were declared out.
Clusters of new wildfires have been reported in remote areas northwest of Whistler and Pemberton, as well as in the northwest Cariboo region. On Vancouver Island, the wildfire service confirmed one fire being held and three others under control as of Saturday morning.
The Mount Underwood wildfire near Port Alberni, discovered on August 11, is being held at 3,151 hectares. With the blaze no longer spreading, the Transportation Ministry is now working with forestry crews to reopen Bamfield Main Road, which was closed after wildfire damage rendered parts of the route unsafe. A 1.5-kilometre stretch remains blocked due to unstable slopes, hazardous trees, and risks of falling rocks and debris flows.
“The ministry has assumed the lead role for developing a reopening strategy for this section,” officials said, noting that a reopening timeline will be announced in the coming weeks. For now, drivers must detour through Youbou.
Other Vancouver Island fires include the Wesley Ridge wildfire near Cameron Lake, which has been held at 588 hectares since July 31; the Nahmint Mountain fire, first discovered on June 8, contained at 19.8 hectares; and the Manson Creek fire near Nanaimo Lakes Road, discovered on August 24, which remains under investigation at 8.6 hectares.
The BC Wildfire Service said it remains on high alert following widespread dry lightning across the Interior and Coastal Fire Centre on Friday. More strikes were expected across southern B.C., including Vancouver Island, with dry forest fuels leaving conditions ripe for ignition.
Environment Canada issued thunderstorm bulletins for the Fraser Canyon, Nicola, and South Thompson regions on Friday, along with a short-lived warning for the Similkameen. The warnings covered areas already sweltering under an ongoing heat wave, with daytime highs in the mid-30s forecast for some Interior communities.
A heat warning also remained in place for inland areas of the North Coast, including Kitimat and Terrace, though forecasters predicted a gradual cooling trend over the weekend.
Meanwhile, smoke and haze blanketed parts of southern B.C. on Friday, with conditions expected to worsen over the weekend. Environment Canada issued a special air quality advisory for the Chilcotin region, urging residents to limit outdoor activity until conditions improve.
