Canada Wildfires 2024

A column of wildfire smoke is seen from the Midnight Dome fire lookout tower near Dawson City on Aug. 2, 2022. (Submitted/Government of Yukon)

Yukon expects return to ‘normal’ wildfire season after busy 2023: officials

Damp ground and a significant snowpack expected to hurt chances of a repeat of last year

 

The wildfire that forced 4,700 people to leave their homes in Fort Nelson, B.C., is now listed as under control. A view of the Parker Lake wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., is shown on Monday, May 13, 2024, in a BC Wildfire Service handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

Wildfire that evacuated Fort Nelson now listed as under control

123-square-kilometre fire in northeastern B.C. is not expected to grow beyond its current boundary

 

When wind-driven wildfires broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui last summer, killing more than 100 people and destroying 2,200 buildings, many local residents didn’t know the extent of the disaster for days. Crosses honoring victims killed in a recent wildfire are posted along the Lahaina Bypass in Lahaina, Hawaii, Aug. 21, 2023. Evacuation orders in Lahaina were complicated by a telecommunications blackout, caused by the downing of all cellular and landline fibre and copper lines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jae C. Hong

From Hawaii to B.C., wildfires underscore resiliency challenges for telecoms

Fires can knock out power and telephone lines, hindering communication efforts

 

Structures and trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire are seen near Lee Creek, B.C., on Monday, September 11, 2023. Canadian federal, provincial and territorial forestry ministers have signed on to a national strategy they say aims to raise awareness of wildfire risks across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Call to Action aimed to spark prevention, awareness in B.C. wildfire areas

Canada’s forest ministers at federal and provincial level sign on to national strategy

Structures and trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire are seen near Lee Creek, B.C., on Monday, September 11, 2023. Canadian federal, provincial and territorial forestry ministers have signed on to a national strategy they say aims to raise awareness of wildfire risks across the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The two wildfires, which is located very close to one another. The green dot is the holdover Gatcho Lake wildfire from 2023. (Screengrab)

Firefighters battling 2 small wildfires near B.C.’s Tweedsmuir Provincial Park

Human-caused blazes discovered early morning, burning in remote area 62km northwest of Anahim Lake

The two wildfires, which is located very close to one another. The green dot is the holdover Gatcho Lake wildfire from 2023. (Screengrab)
Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

Banners hung by B.C. firefighters welcome evacuees back to Fort Nelson

‘There’s a lot of joy and happiness that people are back, relief that they’re back’

Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily

Fort Nelson wildfire held as highway reopens, evacuation order ends

‘16 days of sustained wildfire suppression’ mean 123-square-km fire not expected to grow

Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily
Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily

Evacuation orders lifted, Fort Nelson residents heading home

About 4,700 people left due to wildfire threatening northern B.C. community

Fort Nelson, B.C. evacuees gather at the North Peace Arena in Fort St. John , B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. Residents in Fort Nelson are able to go home today after being evacuated for more than two weeks due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily
The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says evacuees are set to return Monday. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

Evacuation orders in and around Fort Nelson to lift Monday: mayor

Mayor says alerts will remain in place but evacuees will be allowed to return home

The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says evacuees are set to return Monday. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
The west flank of the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, is seen from the air looking east in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

Mayor says it’s not safe for Fort Nelson wildfire evacuees to return early

People trying to get back early could create highway lineups that hinder health-care workers: mayor

The west flank of the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, is seen from the air looking east in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says local officials are pushing for a Monday or Tuesday deadline to start allowing about 4,700 residents home after nearly two weeks. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

B.C. mayor hopes wildfire evacuees can return to Fort Nelson early next week

About 4,700 people have been under evacuation order for the past 2 weeks

The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says local officials are pushing for a Monday or Tuesday deadline to start allowing about 4,700 residents home after nearly two weeks. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says he’s optimistic that crews have “a very good handle” on the wildfire burning outside town and plans are underway for residents to return. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

B.C. wildfires: Plans underway for residents to return to Fort Nelson

Recent rains have helped crews battling 12,348-hectare Parker Lake wildfire

The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., says he’s optimistic that crews have “a very good handle” on the wildfire burning outside town and plans are underway for residents to return. Firefighters working the Parker Lake wildfire, designated G90267 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, are seen in a staging area along Highway 97 looking south with a water bladder and fire hose set up among charred grassland in a May 15, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
An extreme fire warning sign is shown along Highway 97 toward Fort Nelson outside the Charlie Lake Fire Hall near Fort St. John, B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily

Cooler, wetter weather reduces wildfire activity in northeast B.C.

Fire fuels remain ‘very susceptible to ignition,’ however, wildfire service warns

An extreme fire warning sign is shown along Highway 97 toward Fort Nelson outside the Charlie Lake Fire Hall near Fort St. John, B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jesse Boily
A helicopter lands with crews returning from fighting wildfires near Fort McMurray, Alta., Thursday, May 16, 2024. The mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in B.C. says drones are endangering helicopters being used to fight wildfires near Fort Nelson, which was ordered evacuated earlier this month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

B.C. mayor says drones endangering wildfire heli pilots, pleads for patience

Fort Nelson remains evacuated as crews continue to fight the out-of-control Parker Lake wildfire

A helicopter lands with crews returning from fighting wildfires near Fort McMurray, Alta., Thursday, May 16, 2024. The mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in B.C. says drones are endangering helicopters being used to fight wildfires near Fort Nelson, which was ordered evacuated earlier this month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days. Traffic moves along Alberta Highway 63 as wildfire smoke hangs in air in Fort McMurray, Alta., Wednesday, May 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

How to check the Air Quality Health Index and assess your health risks

Environment Canada urging people to pay attention as wildfire season begins, bringing smoke with it

As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days. Traffic moves along Alberta Highway 63 as wildfire smoke hangs in air in Fort McMurray, Alta., Wednesday, May 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

This wildfire season, changes are coming to better inform people about smoke

A new kind of advisory will now be issued if air quality worsens beyind the 10-point scale available

Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A view of the Parker Lake wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C. is shown on Monday, May 13, 2024 in a BC Wildfire Service handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

4 homes lost to wildfire near Fort Nelson, mayor says

Evacuation orders remain in place around northern community, despite recent rain aiding efforts

A view of the Parker Lake wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C. is shown on Monday, May 13, 2024 in a BC Wildfire Service handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service
Burned trees from the 2016 wildfire stand sentinel over a neighbourhood in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Rain helps crews in Fort McMurray while B.C. cracks down on open burning

Parker Lake, Patry Creek wildfires continue to threaten Fort Nelson; combined are over 841 sq. km.

Burned trees from the 2016 wildfire stand sentinel over a neighbourhood in Fort McMurray, Alta., on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
There is no campfire ban going into the Victoria Day long weekend, says BC Wildfire Service operations director Cliff Chapman as the number of campfires that lead to wildfires have seen a significant decrease. (Black Press Media file photo)

No campfire ban going into the long weekend, but BC Wildfire is monitoring

BC Wildfire Service operations director says British Columbians have heard the warnings

There is no campfire ban going into the Victoria Day long weekend, says BC Wildfire Service operations director Cliff Chapman as the number of campfires that lead to wildfires have seen a significant decrease. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Parker Lake wildfire near Fort Nelson is seen through an aircraft window as it burns Friday, May 10. (B.C. Wildfire Service photo)

125 wildfires burn in B.C., with majority in province’s northeast

Parker Lake, which is burning kilometres away from Fort Nelson, is more than 12,000 hectares

The Parker Lake wildfire near Fort Nelson is seen through an aircraft window as it burns Friday, May 10. (B.C. Wildfire Service photo)