B.C.'s largest wildfire downgraded following wet weather in province's north - Action News
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British Columbia

B.C.'s largest wildfire downgraded following wet weather in province's north

The Donnie Creek wildfire in B.C.'s north has been downgraded after fire suppression efforts in the area and recent rainfall. And all evacuation orders have now been lifted around Osoyoos, B.C., which saw a wildfire burn to its doorstep last month

What you need to know about B.C. wildfires for Aug. 9

A plane flies over the front lines of the Donnie Creek wildfire.
A plane flies over the Donnie Creek wildfire earlier this year as aircrews were called in to support the firefighting effort. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

The latest on the wildfires:

  • The Donnie Creek wildfire is no longer considered a wildfire of note, as fire activity has decreased thanks to fire suppression efforts and rain in the area.
  • Evacuation orders have been rescindedin the southern Okanagan town of Osoyoos, as the wildfire service makes strong progress on the Eagle Bluff wildfire.
  • Dozens more properties are on evacuation alert because of the wildfires near Adams Lake, northeast ofKamloops, B.C.
  • A smoky skies bulletinremains in effectfor Fort Nelson, the central and southern Interiorand southeastern B.C.
  • Evacuation orders remain in place across B.C., including atAdams Lake and Gun Lake,and north of Lytton.
  • As of 3p.m. PT, there are currently 376active fires in B.C., with 13fires of note fires that are highly visible or threatening public safety.
  • Learn more about how to find the full list of wildfires, highway closures and evacuation orders and alerts.

The Donnie Creek wildfire that has been burning in B.C.'s north was downgraded on Wednesday, and while it remains out of control, it is no longer a wildfire of note.

B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Sharon Nickel says fire activity has decreased and is no longer a threat to infrastructure, prompting the downgrade. There are currently no evacuation alerts or orders associated with the fire.

"In the case of the Donnie Creek fire, at this time, it's simply just a large fire," she said.

Nickel says the region has received rain over the past week up to 90 millimetres in some areas.

The fire, originally sparked by lightning in mid-May,currently covers about 5,832 square kilometres.

Though the area is not heavily populated, the fire was located on the traditional territory of three First Nationsand tore through graves, hunting grounds and culturally significant landmarks.

A map of B.C.'s Lower Mainland with a red blob that covers the area from Vancouver to Hope, B.C.
The Donnie Creek wildfire burning northeast of Prince George, B.C., was more than double the size of Metro Vancouver as of Tuesday. (CBC News)

It also burned through land used by industry, including oil and gas wells, pipelines, gas plants and compressor stations.

On July 29, it was reported that firefighter Zak Muise, 25, died while battling the blaze.

Nearly 400 active fires were burning in B.C. as of Wednesday afternoon. It's hoped cooler, wetter weather through Thursday will give crews a breather, although Environment Canada says lightning is linked to many of the rainstorms forecast across the province.

Evacuation orders lifted near Osoyoos

All evacuation orders have now been lifted around Osoyoos, B.C., which saw a wildfire burn to its doorstep last monthas flames swept north across the U.S. border.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has rescinded its state of local emergency as well as all evacuation orders related to the nearly 71-square-kilometre Eagle Bluff wildfire, just west of the town.

A blackened hillside is visible behind a new home under construction. Grey smoke lingers in the air.
Firefighters survey scorched earth surrounding a subdivision on July 30 after the Eagle Bluff wildfire crossed the Canada-U.S. border from the state of Washington and prompted evacuation orders in Osoyoos, B.C. (Jesse Winter/Reuters)

More than 130 properties in or around the southern Okanagan community have been evacuated since the fire jumped the border on July 29, but the orders have been eased as the B.C. Wildfire Service says the blaze is no longer likely to spread.

Evacuation orders have been downgraded to alerts and the regional district saidhomes that were previously on alert are cleared of further restrictions.

At the height of the emergency, evacuation orders covered more than 700 propertieswhile 2,000 more were on alert as strong winds blew the fire toward Osoyoos, but a shift in winds the next day veered flames away from the town.


Anyoneplacedunderanevacuationordershouldleavetheareaimmediately.

Evacuationcentreshavebeensetupthroughouttheprovincetoassistanyoneevacuatingfrom acommunityunderthreatfrom awildfire.

Tofindthecentreclosesttoyou,visittheEmergencyManagementB.C.website.

Evacuees are encouraged to register withEmergencySupport Servicesonline, whether or not they access services at anevacuationcentre.


Do you have a story to share?

If you've been affected by the B.C. wildfires and want to share your story, emailcbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca.

With files from Kate Partridge, Betsy Trumpener and The Canadian Press