Evacuation alert for East Kootenay wildfire, Brunswick Creek fire grows: officials
Dozens of properties in British Columbia's East Kootenay region are under an evacuation alert as another out-of-control wildfire burns.
The Regional District of East Kootenay has placed 72 properties in the Premier Lake area under an evacuation alert after the Lussier River fire grew Saturday.
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is about three kilometres west of Premier Lake Provincial Park, and that people should look out for firefighting aircraft working out of nearby bodies of water.
"If firefighting aircraft are nearby, clear the area and stay near the shore to avoid interfering with operations," the agency said in an update Sunday.
The East Kootenay alert is the latest B.C. wildfire notice asking people to be prepared to flee since twin blazes near Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon spurred alerts and evacuations.
Information from the BC Wildfire Service shows one of the two fires has grown since Friday.
The Brunswick Creek fire stretches across more than 30 square kilometres, up from roughly 28 square kilometres.
The wildfire service said cooler weekend temperatures have allowed them to make gains over the fires.
But it is also asking the public to stop behaviours that could hinder their work.
An overnight statement from the agency said that since Highway 1 reopened Saturday, between Boston Bar and Jackass Summit, drivers have been speeding through the fire zone and even stopping to film the ongoing firefighting efforts.
It said a drone was also seen flying near the southeast flank of the Brunswick Creek wildfire while emergency aircrews were fighting the blaze.
"These activities are putting our responders at great risk and have the potential to interrupt our operations on these wildfires during this critical time," the service said, adding that airtanker and helicopter activity was temporarily suspended because of the drone.
The warning noted wildfires are flight-restricted areas, and violations can result in fines of up to $25,000 and up to 18 months in prison.
The Wildfire Service added that the speed limit on Highway 1 is 60 kilometres per hour, and there is no stopping in the fire zone.
Samantha Piper with the Fraser Valley Regional District said people were sharing videos of wildfire in residential areas.
"They are sharing information that is about people's homes and people's livelihoods," she said in a Saturday video update from the district.
"We understand the importance of knowing this information and request the support of the public and media while we work through direct notification to those personally impacted."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2026.
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