Since April 1, 2023, 2,200 wildfires have burned approximately 2.48 million hectares of land in B.C. There are currently 387 active wildfires burning across the province, 11 of which are Wildfires of Note.
Wildfire suppression efforts in B.C. have been supported by out-of-province personnel from across Canada and abroad. In the coming days, over 200 personnel will return home. We are grateful for these national and international partnerships and their dedication in supporting B.C. during what continues to be an exceptionally challenging season. Over 2,300 personnel are currently engaged in wildfire response across B.C., including BC Wildfire Service staff, contractors and out-of-province personnel.
There are currently 119 active evacuation notices in response to wildfires across B.C., affecting 452 properties under order and 11,727 under alert. Please refer to the issuing authority or visit EmergencyInfoBC for details.
Weather
Today, conditions will be warm and dry for most areas excluding the far northwest. Winds will subside in the south, but continue to influence fire activity in the north, with gusts up to 50 km/h. Further warming and drying is in store for Friday, reaching above-seasonal in some areas. By the weekend, temperatures will start to drop and some patchy precipitation may reach parts of the Interior. Significant rainfall is forecast for Vancouver Island and parts of the Lower Mainland by the start of next week.
Fall 2023 Wildfire Outlook
Models give no indication of sufficient rainfall to alleviate elevated drought conditions, forecasting that fuels will remain critically dry through the fall. Although the lightning risk has declined, human activities can easily ignite dry, cured vegetation, which can already be seen in the changing colour of grasses, shrubs and deciduous trees.