Your guide to B.C. wildfires: Maps, evacuation orders, air quality and more

Andrew Kurjata | Posted: April 23, 2024 9:14 PM | Last Updated: May 17

Here's a list of resources on preparing for the threat of wildfires and what to do if you're affected

Image | Ashcroft

Caption: Smoky sky can be seen near Ashcroft, B.C. on August 19, 2024. (Tom Popyk/CBC)

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For more news updates, find the latest wildfire news and stories from CBC British Columbia.

A lower-than-average snowpack combined with ongoing drought through much of British Columbia has officials bracing for what is likely to be another challenging year for wildfires.

The wildfire season of 2023 was unprecedented, with thousands of people forced from their homes and more than 28,419 square kilometres of land burned close to the area of Vancouver Island.

The season in 2024 started early, first with holdover or "zombie" fires smoking in early February then with the first evacuation alerts being issued on April 21.

The following is a list of resources available to help get prepared for wildfires in advance, as well as how to find up-to-date local information on evacuation orders and alerts, road closures and air quality advisories as the season develops.

Tracking wildfires in your region

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) provides a list of all current wildfires in the province, as well as an interactive map that allows you to see where the fires are burning relative to specific communities. It also maintains a daily dashboard which provides an overview of the provincial wildfire situation and forecast.

Particular attention is paid to wildfires of note, which are "highly visible" or pose "a potential threat to public safety."

Embed | Wildfires in Canada

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Wildfires may also be classified as out of control, which means crews are not able to curb their spread. These fires may not necessarily pose a threat to public safety if they are far from homes or property.

Regular updates are posted by the service on Facebook, X and YouTube and it also offers an app on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Tracking wildfires in British Columbia

Evacuation orders and alerts

Local governments and First Nations are responsible for issuing evacuation orders and alerts during emergencies.

An evacuation alert means you should be prepared to leave your property at a moment's notice.

An evacuation order means you must leave the area immediately and are not allowed inside the area covered by the order. These are often enforced by police.

Media Video BC : Evacuation alert vs. evacuation order: What you need to know

Caption: Wildfire season has begun in B.C., and terms like 'evacuation alert' and 'evacuation order' are constantly in the news. CBC's Maurice Katz tells us the difference between the two, and more.

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Many local governments have set up text alert systems, which you can sign up for by visiting your municipal government website.

Regional districts often take the lead when it comes to emergency situations. CivicInfo B.C. maintains a directory of regional districts.

After a local government issues an evacuation order or alert, the information is posted online by Emergency Info B.C.

Everyone affected by an evacuation order is asked to check in at a reception centre or via phone so officials can be sure they are safe.

Understanding wildfire terminology

In addition to wildfires of note and out of control wildfires, here are some other key terms you may hear:

A wildfire is an unplanned fire that occurs in a wilderness area, away from people or structures.

A prescribed burn that escapes its intended perimeter can also be considered a wildfire.

An interface fire could potentially affect man-made structures, while at the same time burning natural fuels such as trees and shrubs. In this situation, a house fire could jump to the forest or vice versa.

When a fire is under control but still smouldering it is being held.

A fire is considered contained when a fuel-free perimeter has been established around the blaze.

You can find a full glossary of terms on the BCWS website.

Media Video Vancouver at 6 : Wildfire jargon explained

Caption: Need-to-know terminology for B.C's wildfire season

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Be prepared to evacuate

Officials recommend you prepare a grab-bag of key items, such as identification, medication and cellphones, so you are ready to leave at a moment's notice.

If your home is under an evacuation alert, it is recommended you bring your kit with you when you run errands or go to work, in case evacuation orders are issued while you're out and you're unable to return home.

Prepared B.C. has a suggested packing list on its website, as does the federal government.

Image | grab and go bag

Caption: Emergency Preparedness B.C. suggests keeping a 'grab-and-go' bag ready for your workplace and vehicles. (CBC)

Image | Emergency evacuation kit

Caption: British Columbians who live near high-risk wildfire hotspots are being advised to keep an emergency evacuation kit ready in case of an evacuation order. (CBC)

Road closures

You can check road conditions, closures, delays and detours by visiting the DriveBC website, maintained by the province's transportation ministry.

If you do not have internet access, you can call 1-800-550-4997 toll free to find out current conditions.

Accessing shelter and support

If you are affected by an emergency situation, supports are in place so you can have a place to sleep, access food vouchers and receive financial aid.

This information is collected on the B.C. government's emergency management website.

The B.C. government has also introduced a $200 a night payment for evacuees to use toward hotel rooms.

The money can be collected in person at emergency reception centres or via e-transfer by registering at ess.gov.bc.ca.

Insurance

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) says all standard homeowner and tenant insurance policies cover damage caused by fires and also provide coverage to help with the cost of mass evacuations.

It has put together a help page with information for evacuees hoping to file a claim.

IBC advises anyone forced to flee to make a list of damaged or destroyed items and keep receipts for expenses they incur. The more details, it says, the better when it comes to making a claim.

The bureau also recommends getting your insurance claim started as soon as possible.

Burn bans and restrictions

The B.C. government provides a list of all fire bans and restrictions.

Not all burn bans include a ban on campfires: Open burning bans may restrict the use of burn barrels or fireworks, for example, while still allowing for smaller controlled campfires.

You can learn more about the different categories of burn bans on the B.C. government's open burning page.

Image | No fires sign Parksville B.C.

Caption: Not all burn bans include a ban on campfires. Sometimes they are restricted to open burning and the use of lanterns and fireworks while smaller, controlled campfires are still allowed. (Yvette Brend/CBC)

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, you can call toll-free 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

Air quality

Even if flames aren't an imminent threat, smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds of kilometres and affect people's health.

B.C.'s Ministry of Environment issues air quality advisories and smoky skies bulletins on its website, which are also distributed as public weather alerts by Environment Canada and through social media channels.

B.C. officials warn of early, 'challenging' wildfire season

The B.C. government provides an air quality health index and map that use data from monitoring stations across the province.

You can also sign up for air quality advisories and smoky skies bulletins for your region through email or text message on the province's B.C. Air Quality website.

Additionally, researchers at the University of Northern British Columbia have partnered with Environment and Climate Change Canada to create a crowdsourced map using air quality monitors from across the country.

Learn more about air quality, and what the numbers mean

Causes: lightning vs. human activity

The causes of wildfires in B.C. are divided into two broad categories: lightning and human activity. The BCWS says, on average, 60 per cent of all wildfires in the province are caused by lightning.

WATCH | An intense August 2023 lightning storm:

Media Video BC : More than a dozen lightning strikes in under a minute filmed in Prince George, B.C.

Caption: The B.C. Wildfire Service says more than 2,500 lightning strikes were recorded between the evening of July 20 and morning of July 21 in the Prince George Fire Centre, which covers the northeastern quadrant of the province.

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Human-caused wildfires are all fires that are not the result of lightning. This can include fires set deliberately or by accident, including through campfires, sparks from railways or industrial activity, discarded cigarettes, fireworks, or lanterns.

The BCWS and other law enforcement agencies may all be involved in investigating human-caused wildfires, and investigations can take months to complete.

Protect your home through FireSmart B.C.

FireSmart B.C. is a program aimed at preventing wildfires with tools aimed at First Nations, local government and fire departments.

It offers a series of guides for individuals on how to manage the landscape around homes and properties to decrease the risk of wildfires causing damage, including landscaping guides and tips on maintaining your home to be as fire-resistant as possible.

WATCH | West Kelowna fire chief wants focus on preventing future blazes:

Media Video B.C. : After disastrous 2023, West Kelowna fire chief wants funding to focus on fire prevention

Caption: It's been eight months since catastrophic fires tore through West Kelowna, destroying hundreds of homes. For West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund, there are important lessons to learn, particularly in the area of mitigation work to remove wildfire fuels in forested areas. CBC's Sarah Penton met up with Brolund in a regional park that was hit by the McDougall Creek fire last August.

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Helping others

The BCWS says it cannot accept donations of food, supplies or equipment, nor can individual members.

Instead, it suggests those wishing to help work with organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, which has launched an appeal to help support people affected by wildfires.

The Red Cross says financial donations are the best way to help, so resources can be directed where they are needed and not go to waste.

Canadians wishing to make a donation can do so online at redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111.

You can check for verified charities through CanadaHelps.

Media Video | About That : Wildfire smoke and your health: what you should know | About That

Caption: Millions of people are under air quality advisories as wildfire smoke blankets large parts of Canada and the U.S. About That producer Lauren Bird explores how it affects your health and what you can do to protect yourself.

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Learn more about the latest wildfire science and how B.C. is preparing for the 2024 wildfire season: