B.C. crews stamp out wildfires ahead of more hot weather this week

British Columbia wildfire crews have managed to stamp out dozens of recent fires or contain them to just a few hectares but hot weather is on the way and some communities are still threatened. 

Hugh Murdoch, an incident commander for the so-called Bootleg Complex of fires near Kimberley, says there has been minimal growth on the fires but they are aware of the hot forecast later this week and are bringing additional resources to protect the city of more than 8,000. 

There are 600 properties on evacuation order, most through the Fraser Canyon near Boston Bar due to two wildfires, while more than 5,000 are on evacuation alert, including the entire city of Kimberley. 

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says that of the 182 wildfires started in the past week — most because of lightning storms — 80 per cent are already classified as being out and many others are being kept under 10 hectares because of quick actions of wildfire crews. 

Parmar says B.C. is leading the way with technology in fighting the fires, using night vision technology, drones to set off controlled burns, and remote-controlled water cannons. 

While drought conditions fuel wildfires, Randene Neill, the minister of water, land and resource stewardship, says they have also created record low stream flows in some waterways, especially in the Okanagan region. 

"Declining stream flows and rising water temperatures place additional stress on fish and aquatic ecosystems. And today, I'm asking everyone in the Okanagan particularly to help conserve water," she said during a news conference on Tuesday. 

Bessette Creek and the Salmon River in the Okanagan are being monitored as they have such low flows that they're concerned for the survival of the fish population, especially chinook salmon. 

"I met with the Okanagan agriculture community last week. I know farmers in the Salmon River area are implementing a voluntary irrigation schedule in the hopes that flows will increase," Neill said. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2026.

By Nono Shen | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.