British Columbia is grappling with a rapid escalation in wildfires, with at least four homes destroyed near Boston Bar and hundreds more under evacuation orders as active blazes more than doubled in a single day.
The BC Wildfire Service reported approximately 70 active fires as of Friday, a sharp rise from around 30 the previous day, with dozens of new ignitions in the past 24 hours. The most severe, part of the Brunswick complex near Boston Bar, has expanded to over 200 square kilometres, claiming four homes or cabins and three additional structures, according to Patricia Ross, chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District board.
Evacuation efforts and community resilience
About 170 residents were ordered to evacuate Thursday evening, though cooler, more humid conditions have since allowed crews to resume direct suppression efforts, said Gordon Robinson, a fire information officer for the Brunswick complex. Jagdip Singh Bihal, owner of JB’s Drive-In Restaurant in Boston Bar, has remained to support emergency responders, providing food and water while monitoring the flames visible across the Fraser River. Sprinklers have been installed around his business and home as a precaution.
In Pemberton, roughly 30 kilometres north of Whistler, evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect as firefighters battle a blaze within kilometres of the community. David MacKenzie, owner of Pemberton Valley Lodge, has cancelled reservations at his own expense, forfeiting what would have been the busiest July in the lodge’s 22-year history. Nearby, Andrea Flores, a local photographer, briefly fled with her family after spotting the Signal Hill wildfire from her kitchen window, though rain later eased the threat.
Provincial and national wildfire response
Premier David Eby noted that while B.C.’s fire season has been relatively subdued compared to Ontario—where nearly 200 fires are burning, 80 of them out of control—British Columbia faced similar crises five years ago. He plans to advocate for a national mutual-support strategy and federal cooperation during next week’s meeting of Canada’s premiers. Smoke from Ontario’s fires has already affected major population centres, including Toronto and New York, drawing criticism from some U.S. politicians over Canada’s wildfire management.
Roland Schigas, program manager for Bluesky Canada, which produces wildfire and smoke forecasts, acknowledged the stress on Fraser Canyon residents, who face the prospect of prolonged displacement. Rainfall on Thursday, combined with ongoing firefighting efforts, has provided temporary relief, but the situation remains volatile.
