B.C. is in a state of emergency as crews battle a number of wildfires around the province, including the massive Bald Range fire in the Okanagan. The B.C. Wildfire Service said it’s “extremely concerned” about intentionally set and accidental wildfires in a drought-stricken province.

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B.C. Wildfires Updates: Air quality improves in east Fraser Valley | Free masks for B.C. Interior residents | Evacuation order downgraded in Clinton area | Summerland fire spreading away from communities Back to video

B.C. WILDFIRES MAP

QUICKLINKS

• Latest updates on fire activity in British Columbia: bcwildfire.ca

• Current wildfire travel advisories: drivebc.ca

• Info for residents/evacuees impacted by wildfires: emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

• Our newsroom’s coverage of the 2026 wildfires: vancouversun.com/tag/wildfires

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Sunday, Aug. 16

Air quality warning lifted in eastern Fraser Valley

Air quality has improved in the eastern Fraser Valley to the point that a warning that had been in place since Wednesday has been lifted.

The Metro Vancouver Regional District ended the warning at around noon Sunday for those living in Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope.

“Air quality has improved due to winds from the coast helping move smoke eastward and out of the region,” said Metro Vancouver in a notice.

Fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke continues to be a health issue for some areas further east, including Castlegar, the North Okanagan and South Okanagan, the latter of which is rated as high-risk.

Real-time air quality readings can be found for the Metro region at airmap.ca and for other parts of B.C. at gov.bc.ca/airqualitymap.

Saturday, Aug. 15

Free N95 respiratory masks available for residents in B.C. Interior

The B.C. government says N95 respiratory masks are now available for free in communities in the Interior Health region to help people protect themselves from impacts of wildfire smoke.

The federal government and the Canadian Red Cross are distributing N95 respirator masks and medical masks to Canadian organizations located in communities that may be affected by wildfire smoke, a news release from the province stated Saturday.

Residents can pick up their masks at the following locations:

Community Futures Sun Country

Address: 203 Railway Ave., Ashcroft

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4p.m., Monday to Friday.

Kamloops Downtown Business Improvement Area Association

Address: 202-246 Second Ave., Kamloops

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Kamloops North Shore BIA

Address: 115 Tranquille Rd., Kamloops

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The Salvation Army

Address: 344 Poplar St. N, Kamloops

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday. Ask staff for masks.

University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus

Address: 3287 University Way, Kelowna

Masks are available at the Campus Security Dispatch Office.

Lake Country Health Planning Society

Address: 10080 Main St. N, Lake Country

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Available at the front desk.

Nicola Valley Community Justice Services Society

Address: 1999 Garcia St., Merritt

Hours: 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Available at the front desk.

District of Peachland

Address: 4450 6th St., Peachland

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Available at the front desk.

Parm Bains Constituency Office

Address: Unit 230, 11331 Coppersmith Way, Richmond

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4p.m., Monday to Friday.

Cariboo Friendship Society

Address: 99 3rd Avenue S, Williams Lake

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Available at the front desk.

Neskonlith Indian Band

Address: 705 Chief Neskonlith Dr., Chase

Evacuation order downgraded to alert for some residents near Clinton

Some residents in B.C.’s Cariboo region will be allowed to return home after the Thompson-Nicola Regional District downgraded an evacuation order to an alert.

The regional district says this affects about 373 properties in the Big Bar Lake and Chasm areas and along Highway 97.

For residents returning home to the area, Highway 97 through Clinton is open to local traffic.

The Pear Lake wildfire is still considered out of control and a wildfire of note at more than 1,574 square kilometres in size and there are still seven evacuation orders affecting hundreds of residents in place.

In an update Saturday, the B.C. Wildfire Service said the region received some rain but not enough to have a lasting impact. Fire officials are expecting a warming and drying trend over the next few days with no precipitation in the forecast.

Summerland fire continues to grow, but away from communities

The Bald Range wildfire in Summerland, which has forced thousands from their homes, continues to spread but it’s moving away from communities, say fire officials.

As of Sunday morning, the blaze was mapped at about 213 square kilometres.

“This fire has been really challenging because of the extreme drought in the area,” said Hugh Murdoch, incident commander with the B.C. Wildfire Service said in a video update Friday.

Murdoch said the forest fuels are “exceptionally dry,” while firefighters have also been hampered by low rainfall and heavy smoke.

“The visibility in these valleys is really impacted by that, making it really difficult for the helicopters and our fixed wing aircraft.”

He added that despite the challenges they have had success in protecting communities as the fire spreads into more heavily forested areas.

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Friday, Aug. 14

Highway 97 near Clinton to reopen Saturday

On Friday night, drivers were told to expect Highway 97 between Clinton and 70 Mile House to reopen as of noon on Saturday.

Drivers will not be allowed to stop, and exits and side roads are still closed to vehicle traffic.

When driving through an active wildfire area where conditions could change at any time, drivers should build in extra travel time to account for congestion or delays, pack plenty of food and drinking water, and leave with a full tank of gas.

Some residents in Okanagan region allowed to return home

An evacuation order for the Quilpituk Creek wildfire north of West Kelowna along Okanagan Lake has been downgraded to an alert after the blaze was declared held.

The Central Okanagan Regional District says evacuation orders for all properties from Cinnabar Creek to Westshore Estates are back on an evacuation alert while the evacuation alerts for properties south of Cinnabar Creek in the Wilson’s Landing area have been lifted.

Evacuation orders remain in place for Summerland, where the separate Bald Range fire is still considered out of control.

Highway through Summerland reopens with limited hours

The main highway through Summerland reopened with limited hours, although officials say that could change depending on fire behaviour.

Temporary access permit holders can access Highway 97 at Prairie Valley Road while all others will be permitted to drive through from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, according to Drive B.C.

Drivers are warned they cannot stop or exit the highway at any time.

Drive B.C. says this remains an active wildfire area and conditions are subject to change with little or no warning.

The Bald Range wildfire remains out of control and has grown to more than 198 square kilometres.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says overnight two night-vision helicopter groups, consisting of six helicopters, supported firefighters working on the fire.

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Thursday, Aug. 13

Princeton RCMP arrest suspect who lit a fire in a field

A suspect has been arrested after starting a small fire in an open area in the south Okanagan.

On Sunday evening, Princeton RCMP got a 911 call reporting a fire near Similkameen Avenue. Volunteers with the fire department for the small Okanagan town were able to quickly put it out and there was no damage to any structures or property nearby.

With help from witnesses, a suspect was arrested while charges were considered, but has since been released with conditions.

“Any report of a fire starting will get our full attention,” said Staff Sgt. Dan Pollock with the South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP detachment. “Any activities that escalate wildfire danger are strictly prohibited and will be addressed immediately.

“In the context of the provincewide state of emergency and the recent evacuations, there will be zero tolerance for any actions that jeopardize public safety.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Yellow air quality warning upgraded to orange for eastern Fraser Valley

Metro Vancouver has upgraded an air quality warning in the eastern Fraser Valley from a code yellow alert to the higher risk orange alert.

The regional district says smoke from wildfires in B.C., including the South Cariboo and the complex of wildfires near Boston Bar, is causing high levels of particulate matter in the region.

The warning urges residents to limit outdoor activity, use indoor air filters and and check in on those who may be higher risk.

People at higher risk include those with lung, heart or other chronic conditions, pregnant people, infants, children, older adults, and outdoor workers.

Those who experience severe symptoms such as wheezing, chest pain, trouble breathing or severe cough should seek medical attention. Reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.

Bald Range wildfire in Summerland still spreading

The Bald Range wildfire in Summerland has grown to more than 191 square kilometres, up from 184 square kilometres Wednesday, according to an update from the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Fire officials say there was a thunderstorm Tuesday evening with the potential for gusty, erratic winds. There are eleven evacuation orders affecting thousands of residents and eight evacuation alerts.

Officials have not said how many properties burned down but said there was substantial loss.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

There are more than 100 wildfires burning in B.C., with half of those burning out of control.

B.C. SPCA rescues animals left behind

The B.C. SPCA says it has been working with fire officials to help save some animals left behind in the wildfire areas.

So far, 108 pets have been taken in through emergency boarding services during the recent wildfires, ranging from dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, and even a gecko, the SPCA said.

Twenty-eight have been reunited with their guardians. Dozens of animals have also received care in-field where removal is not possible for the animals, such as farmed animals, birds, or exotic animals.

During emergencies, misinformation can spread quickly about which organizations are responding and what assistance is available. Animal protection officers respond to requests made through the B.C. SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.

Air quality warnings continue Thursday for much of B.C.

Code yellow air quality warnings are in place this morning for much of B.C., with higher risk orange alerts in place for the South Okanagan—where the Bald Range wildfire is raging in Summerland— and Fraser Canyon regions.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says yellow alerts are in place for the Arrow Lakes, Slocan Valley, Boundary, Central Okanagan, Fraser Valley, Kootenay Lake, Manning, Nicola, Similkameen, South Thompson and West Kootenay regions.

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