Provincial Wildfire Status Update – Sept. 28, 2023



Since April 1, 2023, 2,216 wildfires have burned approximately 2.48 million hectares of land in B.C. There are currently 363 active wildfires burning across the province, four of which are Wildfires of Note. The number of Out of Control wildfires in the province continues to drop.

About 1,250 personnel remain engaged in wildfire response across B.C., just under 150 of which are crews and overhead staff from elsewhere in Canada and abroad. This decrease in personnel reflects the steady downturn in wildfire activity across the province.

There are currently 47 active evacuation notices in response to wildfires across B.C., affecting 344 properties under order and 584 under alert. Please refer to the issuing authority or visit EmergencyInfoBC for evacuation details.

Weather

Cool and damp conditions are forecast for the Cariboo and parts of the northeast, areas that have been particularly dry and holding onto fire hazard throughout the season. Although some clearing and increased warmth is expected over the weekend, the fire risk is expected to remain stable due to precipitation and cooler, fall-like conditions felt across the province.

Wildfires of Note

Fire CentreCampfiresCategory 2
Open Burning
Category 3
Open Burning
Forest Use 
and Area Restrictions
Cariboo Fire CentreBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsN/A
Coastal Fire CentreBC Wildfire fire permittedBC Wildfire fire permittedBC Wildfire fire permittedN/A
Kamloops Fire CentreBC Wildfire fire permittedBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictions
Northwest Fire CentreBC Wildfire fire permittedBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictions
Prince George Fire CentreBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictions
Southeast Fire CentreBC Wildfire fire permittedBC Wildfire fire permittedBC Wildfire Service click icon for more information about bans and restrictionsN/A

This is the last Provincial Wildfire Status Update for the 2023 wildfire season.

Wildfire recovery

The location and intensity of some wildfires can result in large areas of severely burned soils and vegetation and damage to habitats and infrastructure. These types of wildfires are typically fueled by a combination of high temperatures, prolonged drought and strong winds – all factors that fueled the 2023 wildfire season. Wildfire recovery is a phase of emergency management where steps are taken address the social, economic and environmental impacts a wildfire may have on an area.