B.C. Wildfire Map 2023: Updates on fire locations, evacuation alerts/orders (2024)

Here’s the latest information on wildfires burning in British Columbia. The information on this page is updated regularly and includes a map of all current wildfires, air quality information, wildfires of note, current fire bans and important contacts and resources.

Here is Postmedia’s B.C. wildfire map for the 2023 season. Zoom in and out on the map and hover over a dot for more information on a specific wildfire. Scroll down for the latest information about air quality, current fire bans, and important contacts and resources.

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Watch: What to do if ordered to evacuate

Current fire bans and restrictions

For details about fire bans and restrictions and specific definitions of fire types banned, visit the BCWS website here.

Air Quality: Vancouver

Kelowna

Williams Lake

Fort St. John

Watch: 7 things to know about wildfire smoke

Wildfire glossary

Here are a few terms and definitions used by the B.C. Wildfire Service to describe wildfires.

• Contained: A control line has been completed around the fire and associated spot fires and the fire is expected to stop spreading.

• Control line: A constructed or natural barrier around a fire that has been treated with retardant or water which is used to control or contain a fire.

• Holdover fire: A fire that is undetected or dormant for some time after it is first sparked, such as a lightning-caused fired.

• Initial attack: The initial action undertaken by the first firefighting personnel to arrive at the scene in hopes of stopping the spread of a fire.

• Interface fire: A fire that has the potential to burn buildings and forest fuel or vegetation simultaneously.

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• Mop-up: Extinguishing a fire after it has been brought under control.

• Spot fire: A fire that is less than 10 metres by 10 metres in area size.

For more terms, visit the B.C. Wildfire Service’s glossary here.

Watch: How to protect yourself and your home from a wildfire

Online resources

Updates and alerts

• Current wildfire situation: www.bcwildfire.ca
• Emergency news, evacuation orders and alerts: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
• Air quality advisories: www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/data/aqhi-table.html
• Weather alerts: www.weather.gc.ca/warnings
• B.C. Hydro outage updates: www.bchydro.com/safety-outages.html
• Fortis B.C. outage updates: outages.fortisbc.com/Outages/Home/OutageMap
• Travel advisories: www.tranbc.ca
• Fire danger ratings: www2.gov.bc.ca

Information and what to do

• Info for residents/evacuees impacted by wildfires: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
• Evacuee registration: online at ess.gov.bc.ca or phone 1-800-585-9559
• Wildfire preparedness: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/home/wildfire-preparedness
• What to do if under an evacuation order or alert
• B.C. Wildfire Management glossary of terms: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/about-bcws/glossary
• Red Cross family reunification phone line: 1-800-863-6582

How to support

• Donate to the Red Cross: www.redcross.ca or bycalling 1-800-418-1111

Latest Tweets from BC Wildfire Service

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Latest Tweets by EmergencyInfoBC

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