Fire managers say the wildfire north of Whistler that prompted recent evacuations is now being held, but residents across the province have been told to prepare for worsening air quality as hot, dry conditions persist.
Local status and human impacts
The Signal Hill fire, which threatened rural areas and prompted a short-notice evacuation, was assessed at just under one square kilometre and is reported as being held. The Village of Pemberton rescinded its evacuation alert, saying the immediate threat to life and safety has passed; an evacuation order for an area south of the community remains in effect to support firefighting operations.
“I was lucky because my sister manages a barn,” said Sula Coulson, who fled the Signal Hill fire with two horses. “It was just a series of crazy events. But my husband then left the farm, came down, we changed the tire and I continued on, you know, and got to Richmond about 5 a.m.”
Provincial picture and forecasts
The BC Wildfire Service reported there were 108 active wildfires in the province at the weekend, with 770 wildland firefighters assigned to suppression efforts. Of those fires, 44 were listed as burning out of control.
Environment Canada warned of deteriorating air quality for parts of the province as smoke drifts from active fires. Forecasters also say widespread thunder activity is likely over the coming week, raising the risk of lightning-ignited new fires, while warm, drying conditions are expected to persist and expand.
Key fires and sizes
Several large blazes continue to drive the provincial response and local evacuations in the southern Interior.
| Fire | Location | Reported size |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick Creek | Boston Bar / Fraser Canyon area | 40 sq. km |
| Ainslie Creek | Boston Bar / Fraser Canyon area | 160 sq. km |
| Signal Hill | north of Whistler / near Pemberton | under 1 sq. km |
What residents should know
- Expect worsening smoke and potential air-quality advisories from Environment Canada where plumes drift.
- Be prepared for new lightning-caused ignitions over the coming week as thunder activity increases.
- Follow local evacuation orders and alerts; a rescinded alert does not always mean all orders are lifted.
Community members displaced by blazes have described chaotic evacuations. Emergency services continue to prioritise defending communities and critical infrastructure while assessing changing weather and fire behaviour.
Provincial officials say firefighting resources remain committed across multiple fronts as crews watch forecast conditions that could broaden the area at risk.
Antoine Morin, InfoRadar.
