British Columbia braces for busy wildfire season as dry spring fuels 37 active fires

The BC Wildfire Service reported 37 active wildfires on June 25, 2026, three of which are out of control, prompting province‑wide fire‑danger alerts and Category 2 and 3 open‑fire prohibitions across the Coastal, Kamloops, Cariboo, Northwest and Prince Gorge fire centres. Residents are urged to follow fire‑smart measures for Canada Day, including checking the BC Wildfire Service app for current fire activity, road closures and evacuation orders, using proper campfire pits, keeping vehicles equipped with spark arrestors and maintaining defensible space around homes.

Kamloops Fire Centre manager Jeff Dunne warned that a “significantly dry” spring and below‑average snowpack have left the region vulnerable. Since April 1 the centre has responded to 58 wildfires, burning 879 ha, with most initial attacks keeping fires under five hectares. To bolster response, 30 two‑person unit crews and 151 Initial Attack crews are pre‑positioned, and a night‑vision‑capable aerial fleet, now operating four units, assists in detecting lightning‑started fires at night.

Dry conditions and lingering drought across the province heighten the risk of rapid fire spread, underscoring the importance of water‑wise practices and adherence to local fire restrictions.