Nearly 100 new wildfires were reported across British Columbia in the space of 24 hours after an intense lightning outbreak, the BC Wildfire Service said, prompting expanded evacuation orders and alerts in interior communities.
Rapid spike follows lightning activity
Provincial authorities linked the uptick to more than 4,000 lightning strikes recorded on Friday. The new ignitions pushed emergency officials to widen evacuation notices and to issue fresh orders as crews and aircraft mobilized to protect threatened communities.
“Almost 100 new blazes have been sparked across British Columbia over the last 24 hours,” the BC Wildfire Service said.
In the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, the Fiftynine Creek fire led officials to expand an evacuation order affecting the Big Bar Lake and Meadow Lake areas, and an evacuation alert was issued for the Bonaparte Plateau. Meanwhile, the Cariboo Regional District issued a new evacuation order for the Bowers Lake wildfire.
Local consequences and resources
Residents in affected zones can expect increased aircraft activity as helicopters and airtankers support ground crews. Smoke and changing winds can alter fire behaviour quickly; officials urged people under orders to leave without delay and those under alerts to prepare to evacuate on short notice.
- Fiftynine Creek fire: evacuation order expanded for Big Bar Lake and Meadow Lake areas.
- Bonaparte Plateau: evacuation alert issued.
- Bowers Lake wildfire: new evacuation order in Cariboo Regional District.
Photo and operational reports show helicopters refilling near water sources while multiple fires produced visible plumes across the Fraser Canyon and nearby valleys. Local authorities and provincial crews continue to assess threats to homes, infrastructure and access routes.
| Region | Fire | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson-Nicola | Fiftynine Creek | Evacuation order expanded (Big Bar Lake, Meadow Lake) |
| Thompson-Nicola | — | Evacuation alert (Bonaparte Plateau) |
| Cariboo | Bowers Lake | New evacuation order |
Officials did not release a consolidated list of all new fires by name. Residents should monitor regional district emergency portals, local media and the BC Wildfire Service for real-time updates, road restrictions and shelter information.
Emergency responders and provincial resources remain focused on containment and protection of communities as crews work to limit the spread while weather and fuel conditions continue to influence fire behaviour.
