# BC wildfires: 20,000 displaced as Ainslie Creek grows > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vancouver-island-fire-incidents-june-2026 > Updated: 2026-08-20T00:35:11.000Z. Sources: 88. Developments: 10. By late August 2026, British Columbia is facing a massive wildfire crisis, with more than 20,000 people displaced in one of the province’s largest evacuation events. The crisis has heavily impacted the South Okanagan, North Okanagan, and the BC Interior. In the Merritt area, the Ainslie Creek wildfire has grown significantly, now estimated to cover more than 67,000 hectares. The BC Wildfire Service has identified critical periods due to forecasted high temperatures and increasing winds. In the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), officials have warned of a “dramatic increase” in fire activity driven by an incoming weather system bringing unstable winds and potential lightning. Specific evacuation orders are currently in place for approximately 118 properties due to the Ainslie Creek fire, 80 properties due to the Pear Lake wildfire, and 10 properties due to the French Bar Creek wildfire, while over 2,300 properties remain on evacuation alert. The season has resulted in one reported fatality and significant structural damage, with over 500 homes and buildings destroyed or damaged, particularly in the Okanagan region. The Brunswick Complex—comprising the Anderson, Brunswick, and Ainslie Creek fires—previously drove major disruptions in the Fraser Canyon. The complex and the nearby Norwegian Creek fire (957 ha) forced evacuations for over 450 properties, including several First Nations such as Spuzzum and Boston Bar. Highway 1 remains closed near Boston Bar, and Highway 3 (Hope-Princeton) has faced closures between the Hope Slide/Sunshine Valley area and west of Manning Park Lodge. The Coquihalla (Highway 5) remains the primary open major route. As the scale of the disaster grows, the ongoing environmental crisis is impacting food security and affordability due to drought and agricultural disruptions. Community foundations in the South Okanagan Similkameen, North Okanagan, and BC Interior have launched relief funds to support evacuees and local non-profits. ## Claims - The TNRD warned of a potential dramatic increase in wildfire activity due to unstable weather, strong winds, and lightning. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Approximately 118 properties are under evacuation orders due to the Ainslie Creek wildfire. (corroborated by 14 sources) - 80 properties are under evacuation orders due to the Pear Lake wildfire. (corroborated by 14 sources) - A wildfire burning west of Merritt has grown to over 67,000 hectares. (single source) - One fatality has been recorded this year, involving an 80-year-old woman. (single source) - Wildfires in British Columbia have burned through more than 100 fires and forced over 20,000 people to evacuate. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: British Columbia wildfires force 20,000 evacuations British Columbia faces a severe wildfire season with over 20,000 evacuations and 500 structures lost. Officials warn of increased activity due to unstable weather and lightning in the Interior. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-wildfires-displace-20000-people ### 2026-07-23: British Columbia highways closed as wildfires force travel restrictions Highway 3 and Highway 1 in British Columbia are closed due to large wildfires; only Highway 5 remains open amid construction, with travel advisories and safety warnings issued. 48 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-highway-3-closed-due-to-wildfires ### 2026-07-22: Brunswick Complex wildfires force evacuations in British Columbia The Brunswick Complex wildfires have scorched >27,000 ha in BC’s Fraser Canyon, triggering over 450 evacuation orders, highway closures and a Kamloops shelter for displaced residents. 60 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-firefighters-deployed-to-fight-big-bar-complex-wildfire-near-100-mile-house ### 2026-07-16: British Columbia Wildfire Near Highway 33 Mobilizes Air Tankers and Helicopters A Thursday wildfire near Dale Creek, BC, covering about one hectare, showed aggressive behaviour and prompted deployment of 16 firefighters, three helicopters and air tankers, with officials warning of further 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-wildfire-near-highway-33-mobilizes-air-tankers-and-helicopters ### 2026-07-08: British Columbia housing fires spark safety investigations Two separate fires in British Columbia—one at military housing in Esquimalt and another at Revelstoke Mountain Resort staff housing—were quickly contained and are now under investigation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-housing-fires-spark-safety-investigations ### 2026-06-24: British Columbia adds wildfire trucks as multiple fires disrupt homes and services BC adds three wildfire trucks and contends with house, waste‑facility and intentional log fires disrupting communities across the province. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/british-columbia-fires-disrupt-waste-collection-and-prompt-arrests ### 2026-06-19: Langley, BC Fire Destroys Barn and Damages Historic Railway Bridge A barn fire in Langley, BC prompted a large firefighter response with no injuries, while a separate blaze damaged a 100‑year‑old railway bridge, which reopened after minimal repairs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/langley-bc-fire-destroys-barn-and-damages-historic-railway-bridge ### 2026-06-18: Two separate fires damage property in British Columbia, one sparking arrests Two British Columbia fires caused property damage: a vacant housing building burned in Victoria without injuries, and a historic railcar was destroyed in Port Alberni, leading to arrests of three youths. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-separate-fires-damage-property-in-british-columbia-one-sparking-arrests ### 2026-06-08: Brentwood Bay restaurant fire under investigation The Garden Fork restaurant in Brentwood Bay burned down on June 6; no injuries were reported. Central Saanich police and fire officials are investigating and seeking witnesses or video evidence. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/garden-fork-restaurant-fire-in-brentwood-bay-under-investigation ### 2026-06-06: Vancouver Island fire incidents damage Ladysmith school and Brentwood Bay restaurant Two Vancouver Island fires caused extensive damage – a June 2 blaze in Ladysmith Secondary’s computer lab forced school closures, while a June 6 fire gutted the Garden Fork restaurant in Brentwood Bay; no Injur 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vancouver-island-fire-incidents-damage-ladysmith-school-and-brentwood-bay-restaurant --- Cite as: BC wildfires: 20,000 displaced as Ainslie Creek grows. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vancouver-island-fire-incidents-june-2026