DAILY INTELLIGENCE LOG

STRUCTURE DEFENCE

British Columbia & Alberta

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Information current as of approximately 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

Wildfire conditions, evacuation boundaries, transportation access, utilities and restrictions can change quickly. Instructions from the responsible local government, First Nation, emergency authority or transportation agency always take priority.

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STRUCTURE DEFENCE TAKEAWAY

Here’s what we know:

The overall wildfire picture continues to show meaningful improvement around several of the major August community emergencies.

Bald Range has moved substantially farther into recovery.

Large portions of the earlier evacuation footprint have been rescinded, all District of Summerland Evacuation Alerts were rescinded Monday except for specific properties that remain under Evacuation Order, and recovery work is increasingly focused on damaged infrastructure, water systems, property access and longer-term support.

Riley Creek has also improved from Evacuation Order to Evacuation Alert.

Pear Lake and Bonanza Creek remain the two significant SLRD incidents still carrying Evacuation Orders.

Twin Two remains at Alert.

A new incident deserves attention this morning.

The Red Creek wildfire, K619570, was identified Tuesday east of Princeton in RDOS Electoral Area H, north of Old Hedley Road and Highway 3.

BC Wildfire Service is responding and the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre is monitoring.

No Evacuation Alert or Order was identified in the latest official notice, and no structure or highway impact has been announced.

The Fraser Canyon remains operationally significant.

The provincial road-event system continues to list Highway 1 closed because of wildfire between the Spuzzum Creek Road and Aspen Road areas, roughly 18 kilometres north of Yale to 28 kilometres south of Jackass Mountain Summit.

In Alberta, no newly verified community-threatening wildfire escalation was identified during this morning’s authoritative-source scan.

The Grande Prairie area remains worth monitoring because wildfire danger has recently been High and wildfire GWF058 has been under active suppression near the B.C. border. A sufficiently fresh Alberta Wildfire status update was not available in searchable authoritative public text this morning, so yesterday’s exact status is not being carried forward as though it is current.

Here’s what we’re watching:

Today introduces another short fire-weather transition across southern British Columbia.

Summerland reaches approximately 32°C today before cooling substantially Thursday.

Lillooet remains around 30°C with late-day shower potential and south winds increasing.

Boston Bar is near 31°C with winds potentially gusting around 50 km/h and late-afternoon shower potential.

Cranbrook reaches approximately 31°C with a risk of thunderstorms later today.

That means the immediate watch is not simply heat.

It is the combination of:

• Drying through the afternoon

• Increasing wind

• Localized showers

• Thunderstorm potential

• Lightning

• Holdover-fire detection after recent storms

Here’s why it matters:

The current wildfire period is increasingly a story of recovery rather than broad escalation.

But recovery and wildfire risk can exist at the same time.

Communities can be returning home while other properties remain under Order.

A new wildfire can emerge while older incidents are stabilizing.

And a cooler forecast can still involve a period of stronger wind and lightning before conditions improve.

The appropriate picture this morning is progress — with continued operational attention.

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TODAY'S CONDITIONS

BALD RANGE — SUMMERLAND, FAULDER AND RDOS

Here’s what we know:

The Bald Range response continues moving toward recovery.

The latest RDOS update, issued Tuesday, did not announce a new evacuation expansion.

Instead, current operations remain focused on:

• Re-entry

• Recovery support

• Infrastructure restoration

• Water-system repair

• Property access

• Information for affected residents

Large areas were rescinded from evacuation measures Monday.

All District of Summerland Evacuation Alerts were also rescinded Monday afternoon except for specific properties that remain under Evacuation Order.

Residents should continue checking the official address-level evacuation map because some individual properties remain restricted.

The Faulder Water System remains an important infrastructure concern.

Electrical and communications equipment serving the system was damaged during the Bald Range wildfire, and the system was reported non-operational in the latest RDOS information.

Water-system operators continue assessing the damage and required repairs.

The Emergency Support Services Reception Centre in Penticton is scheduled to conclude in-person operations Friday, August 28, another indication that the large-scale response is moving toward longer-term recovery.

Summerland conditions today:

• Morning temperature near the high teens to low 20s

• Forecast high approximately 32°C

• Local smoke

• 30% chance of late-afternoon showers

• Wind becoming north around 20 km/h, then south around 20 km/h gusting near 40 late this afternoon

Thursday cools substantially to approximately 26°C, with another chance of showers.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Remaining property-specific Evacuation Orders

• Faulder Water System restoration

• Utility and road recovery

• Hazardous trees and burned-root systems

• Smoke

• Late-afternoon wind

• Whether showers reach active fire areas

• New lightning or holdover-fire detections

Here’s why it matters:

The most important Bald Range information is no longer the hectare count.

For affected residents, the operational questions are increasingly:

Is the road safe?

Is the water system functioning?

Is electrical service restored?

Are trees and slopes stable?

Can emergency responders still access the property?

That is what recovery looks like after a major interface wildfire.

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PRINCETON — RED CREEK WILDFIRE K619570

Here’s what we know:

This is today’s most important new wildfire development.

At 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, the RDOS issued a wildfire advisory for Red Creek wildfire K619570.

The fire is located:

• In Electoral Area H

• East of Princeton

• North of Old Hedley Road

• North of Highway 3

BC Wildfire Service is responding.

The RDOS Emergency Operations Centre is monitoring the incident.

At publication time, the official RDOS advisory did not identify:

• An Evacuation Alert

• An Evacuation Order

• Structure loss

• Infrastructure damage

• Highway closure

A sufficiently fresh authoritative BC Wildfire Service hectare estimate or control classification was not available in searchable public text this morning.

For that reason, no size or status is being inferred.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Initial Attack progress

• Any increase in size or change in status

• Highway 3 or Old Hedley Road impacts

• Rural property exposure

• Any evacuation action

• Afternoon wind

• Lightning or thunderstorm activity

Here’s why it matters:

Small new fires deserve attention early.

Most do not become major incidents.

But detecting changes before evacuation or structure exposure develops is exactly the purpose of the significant-incident scan.

There is currently no evidence in the official information reviewed this morning that Red Creek has become a community emergency.

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PEAR LAKE — SLRD ELECTORAL AREA B

Here’s what we know:

Pear Lake remains under Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert within the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

The SLRD current-status page continues to list the Order as active.

Other jurisdictions around the much larger Pear Lake environment have progressed farther into recovery.

That does not alter the SLRD Order.

Pavilion-Clinton Road also remains closed in both directions between Clinton and Mowich Road because of wildfire.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Pear Lake Order changes

• Pavilion-Clinton Road reopening

• Rural-property access

• Ranch and livestock impacts

• Smoke and visibility

• Remaining hotspot activity

• Fine-fuel response to changing weather

Here’s why it matters:

A large wildfire does not recover uniformly.

One portion can be largely stabilized while another remains operationally significant enough to require an Evacuation Order.

Residents should follow the authority responsible for their exact property rather than assuming conditions elsewhere on the same fire apply to them.

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BONANZA CREEK — BRIDGE RIVER AND SOUTH CHILCOTIN

Here’s what we know:

Bonanza Creek remains under Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert in SLRD Electoral Area A.

No new evacuation expansion was identified in the latest SLRD information.

The remote setting remains an important operational factor.

The area includes:

• Rural properties

• Ranch operations

• Backcountry users

• Long evacuation routes

• Limited transportation alternatives

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Order and Alert changes

• Fire response to afternoon weather

• Road access

• Ranch and livestock requirements

• New lightning

• Holdover fires

Here’s why it matters:

Remote evacuations take time.

Moving livestock, trailers or vulnerable residents can require considerably more preparation than leaving an urban neighbourhood.

The Alert stage remains important even during improving regional conditions.

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RILEY CREEK — TEXAS CREEK

Here’s what we know:

Riley Creek has moved into a more favourable phase.

The previous Evacuation Order was downgraded Monday.

The Texas Creek area remains under Evacuation Alert.

Wildfire and cleanup operations continue.

Lillooet is forecast near approximately 30°C today.

Late-afternoon shower potential increases.

South winds may increase to around 30 km/h with gusts near 50 km/h.

Thursday cools sharply toward the mid-20s.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Whether the Riley Creek Alert can be rescinded

• Hotspot activity

• Wind

• Late-afternoon showers

• Re-entry conditions

• Hazard trees

• Holdover-fire detections

Here’s why it matters:

Moving from Order to Alert is meaningful progress.

But returning home during an Alert means residents should restore their evacuation supplies and remain prepared if conditions change again.

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TWIN TWO — ELECTORAL AREA C

Here’s what we know:

Twin Two remains under Evacuation Alert.

The previous Order has already been downgraded.

The In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road remains closed to general traffic and restricted to local traffic to support wildfire operations.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Alert rescindment

• Road reopening

• Hotspots

• Wind and rainfall

Here’s why it matters:

Access restrictions can remain after evacuation pressure decreases.

Road safety and ongoing wildfire operations often take longer to normalize than the evacuation status itself.

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FRASER CANYON — HIGHWAY 1

Here’s what we know:

The provincial road-event system continues to list Highway 1 closed because of wildfire between Spuzzum Creek Road and Aspen Road.

The active closure covers approximately 20 kilometres from roughly 18 kilometres north of Yale to 28 kilometres south of Jackass Mountain Summit.

Highway 3 and Highway 5 remain the listed alternate routes.

The corridor remains affected by more than active flame.

Post-fire hazards can include:

• Fire-damaged trees

• Rockfall

• Slope instability

• Smoke

• Utility damage

• Restricted emergency access

Boston Bar is forecast near approximately 31°C today.

South winds may reach around 30 km/h with gusts near 50 km/h.

A 40% chance of late-afternoon showers is forecast.

Thursday cools considerably to approximately 25°C.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Highway 1 reopening criteria

• Remaining wildfire activity

• Hazard trees

• Rockfall and slope stability

• Wind gusts

• Smoke visibility

• Rainfall

Here’s why it matters:

This remains one of the clearest examples of wildfire becoming an infrastructure emergency.

A wildfire can become less active while the highway beside it remains unsafe because burned trees and slopes continue posing hazards.

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SOUTHEAST BRITISH COLUMBIA

Here’s what we know:

The Southeast is warmer again today and enters another unsettled period this afternoon.

Cranbrook is forecast near:

• 31°C today

• 40% chance of late-afternoon showers

• Risk of thunderstorms

• Southwest wind around 20 km/h

Thursday cools to approximately 27°C with a greater chance of showers.

Multiple wildfire Area Restrictions and broader prevention restrictions remain relevant across the Southeast Fire Centre.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Lightning

• Thunderstorm outflow

• Rainfall distribution

• Holdover fires

• New smoke Thursday through Saturday

• Existing fire response

Here’s why it matters:

The most important Southeast signal today is not simply temperature.

It is convection.

Thunderstorms can provide helpful rainfall and create new lightning starts within the same afternoon.

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ALBERTA

Here’s what we know:

No newly verified significant community-threatening wildfire escalation was identified in Alberta during this morning’s authoritative-source scan.

The Grande Prairie Forest Area remains the primary Alberta region worth watching after several days of High wildfire danger and the recent GWF058 response near the British Columbia border.

The latest authoritative incident information available in searchable public text was not fresh enough this morning to responsibly repeat yesterday’s exact fire status or size.

Those figures are therefore intentionally not carried forward.

Grande Prairie remains in relatively warm late-August weather, but there is no current authoritative evidence reviewed this morning of a new evacuation or critical-infrastructure emergency.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Fresh GWF058 status

• Grande Prairie Forest Area danger

• New starts

• Wind

• Agricultural and industrial ignition

• Any Alberta Emergency Alert

• Any wildfire upgraded to provincial Wildfire of Note

Here’s why it matters:

Not carrying stale information forward is itself part of wildfire intelligence.

Yesterday’s status is useful background.

It is not automatically today’s status.

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ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

TODAY IS A SHORT WARMING PEAK BEFORE ANOTHER COOL-DOWN

Here’s what we know:

Several southern British Columbia regions reach their short-term temperature peak today.

Approximate highs:

• Summerland — 32°C

• Lillooet — 30°C

• Boston Bar — 31°C

• Cranbrook — 31°C

Thursday is substantially cooler across most of these regions.

Summerland falls toward approximately 26°C.

Lillooet falls into the mid-20s.

Boston Bar falls near 25°C.

Cranbrook falls near 27°C.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Afternoon fine-fuel drying

• Overnight humidity recovery

• Fire activity before temperatures fall

• Wind associated with the transition

Here’s why it matters:

Today does not represent another prolonged heat event.

The more useful signal is a brief warm period followed by cooler and somewhat wetter weather.

That should generally support suppression, provided wind and lightning do not create new short-term problems.

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RAINFALL AND PROLONGED DRYNESS

Here’s what we know:

Weekend rainfall improved short-term fuel conditions in some regions.

Several warm days since then have allowed fine fuels to begin drying again.

Another shower opportunity appears today and Thursday.

Summerland has:

• 30% chance late today

• 40% chance Thursday afternoon

Lillooet has late-day shower potential.

Boston Bar has approximately 40% late-day shower potential.

Cranbrook has a 40% chance and thunderstorm risk.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Actual rainfall totals

• Geographic coverage

• Locations repeatedly missing showers

• Fine-fuel response

• Moisture penetration into deeper fuels

Here’s why it matters:

Localized showers should not be treated as a regional reset.

Rainfall benefit depends on amount, duration and where it actually lands.

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DROUGHT AND FIRE-WEATHER INDICATORS

Here’s what we know:

Drought Code, Buildup Index and Fine Fuel Moisture Code remain location- and station-specific.

No single current value responsibly represents all of the Okanagan, Fraser Canyon, South Cariboo, Lillooet and Southeast.

A broad number would create false precision.

The more useful operational indicators today are:

• Large-scale evacuation pressure continues decreasing.

• Pear Lake and Bonanza Creek still retain Orders.

• A new fire has emerged near Princeton.

• Fine fuels have dried after weekend moisture.

• Another cooler and showery period begins Thursday.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Local Drought Code trends

• Fine Fuel Moisture Code

• Buildup Index

• Rainfall accumulation

• Overnight humidity recovery

• Active-fire response after Thursday's cooling

Here’s why it matters:

Fine fuels can change within hours.

Deep drought changes over much longer periods.

A good suppression day does not necessarily mean seasonal dryness has disappeared.

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WIND

Here’s what we know:

Wind becomes more relevant this afternoon.

Forecast signals include:

• Summerland — south gusts near 40 km/h late afternoon

• Lillooet — south gusts near 50 km/h

• Boston Bar — south gusts near 50 km/h

• Cranbrook — southwest around 20 km/h

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Wind alignment with active fire edges

• Spotting

• Smoke movement

• Hazard-tree failure

• Thunderstorm outflow

Here’s why it matters:

The overall weather trend is improving.

But stronger local wind can still produce short periods of increased fire activity before cooler weather arrives.

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LIGHTNING AND HOLDOVER-FIRE POTENTIAL

Here’s what we know:

Lightning becomes relevant again today, especially in Southeast British Columbia and wherever afternoon convection develops.

Recent lightning also remains a holdover concern.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• New smoke appearing after afternoon heating

• Lightning outside meaningful rainfall

• Holdover fires emerging over the next one to three days

• Multiple Initial Attack incidents

• Thunderstorm outflow

Here’s why it matters:

Some lightning-caused fires remain hidden after ignition.

They may become visible only after surface fuels dry and fire reaches more receptive material.

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GRASS CURING AND HUMAN ACTIVITY

Here’s what we know:

Cured grass remains present across the southern Interior despite recent rain.

Fine fuels can dry quickly during a 30°C afternoon, particularly on exposed south-facing slopes and roadsides.

Human-caused ignition remains preventable.

Common sources include:

• Trailer chains dragging on pavement

• Hot exhaust systems in dry vegetation

• Farm and industrial machinery

• Smoking materials

• Improperly extinguished fires

• Fireworks or exploding targets where prohibited

• Recreational off-road vehicles where prohibited

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Roadside starts

• Agricultural ignitions

• Industrial starts

• Recreation-related fire

• New incidents competing for suppression resources

Here’s why it matters:

Improvement on existing fires can be offset by a preventable new start.

Prevention remains operationally important even as the overall wildfire picture improves.

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RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS

Here’s what we know:

Broad wildfire-prevention restrictions remain active across significant portions of southern British Columbia.

The SLRD confirms recreational off-road vehicle use on Crown land remains prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre and most of the Coastal Fire Centre.

Campfire and larger open-fire prohibitions remain location-specific across the major southern Interior fire centres.

Multiple wildfire Area Restrictions remain active.

Because fire prohibitions are legally defined by individual orders and can be rescinded independently, residents should verify the current rule for the exact location before burning or using restricted equipment.

No new major broad prohibition scheduled to take effect within the next 72 hours was identified during this morning’s forward scan.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Restriction rescindments following cooler weather

• New Area Restrictions around new starts

• Red Creek access restrictions if required

• Alberta restriction changes

• Any new prohibition announced for implementation within 72 hours

Here’s why it matters:

Weather does not automatically cancel a restriction.

Only the responsible authority changes the legal order.

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HOMEOWNER IMPLICATIONS

For residents returning after wildfire:

• Confirm the exact property status before travelling.

• Check water-system advisories.

• Treat damaged electrical infrastructure as energized.

• Watch for danger trees, burned roots and ash pits.

• Expect recovery crews and heavy equipment.

• Keep evacuation equipment available until all Alerts are formally rescinded.

For residents still under Evacuation Alert:

• Keep vehicles fuelled.

• Keep medications, identification and important documents accessible.

• Maintain transportation plans for pets, livestock and anyone requiring assistance.

• Know which roads are currently open.

For residents near a new wildfire such as Red Creek:

• Monitor official information rather than social-media estimates.

• Do not wait for visible flame before preparing essential items.

• Know alternate routes.

• Avoid unnecessary travel toward wildfire-response activity.

For residents outside evacuation areas:

• Use the improving weather window to continue wildfire maintenance.

• Clear roofs and gutters.

• Remove dry debris immediately beside structures.

• Keep grass short.

• Restore hoses, pumps and evacuation supplies to ready condition.

These actions improve readiness.

They are not predictions and cannot guarantee structure survival.

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WHAT CHANGED SINCE YESTERDAY

NEW — RED CREEK WILDFIRE NEAR PRINCETON

• RDOS issued a wildfire advisory at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.

• Wildfire K619570 is located east of Princeton in Electoral Area H.

• It is north of Old Hedley Road and Highway 3.

• BC Wildfire Service is responding.

• RDOS EOC is monitoring.

• No Evacuation Alert or Order was identified in the latest official advisory.

• No structure or highway impact has been announced.

BALD RANGE

• Tuesday's RDOS update contained no new evacuation expansion.

• Response continues shifting toward recovery.

• The Penticton ESS Reception Centre is scheduled to end in-person operations Friday, August 28.

• Faulder Water System infrastructure remains damaged and the system remains non-operational in the latest update.

SLRD

• Riley Creek remains at Alert after Monday's Order downgrade.

• Pear Lake remains under Evacuation Order and Alert.

• Bonanza Creek remains under Evacuation Order and Alert.

• Twin Two remains under Alert.

ACCESS

• Pavilion-Clinton Road remains closed between Clinton and Mowich Road.

• In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road remains restricted to local traffic.

• The provincial road-event system continues to list Highway 1 closed through the wildfire-affected Fraser Canyon segment north of Yale.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

• Today is a short-term temperature peak.

• Summerland reaches approximately 32°C.

• Lillooet and Boston Bar remain around 30°C.

• Cranbrook reaches approximately 31°C.

• Cooler weather arrives Thursday.

• Shower and thunderstorm potential increases this afternoon and Thursday.

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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT

• Red Creek wildfire K619570 near Princeton

• Any Red Creek evacuation, road or structure impacts

• Remaining Bald Range Evacuation Orders

• Faulder Water System restoration

• Pear Lake Evacuation Order

• Bonanza Creek Evacuation Order

• Riley Creek Alert

• Twin Two Alert

• Pavilion-Clinton Road reopening

• In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road access

• Highway 1 reopening through the Fraser Canyon

• Afternoon wind around active fires

• Thunderstorm development

• Lightning outside meaningful rainfall

• Holdover-fire detections

• Actual rainfall totals today and Thursday

• Fine-fuel response to cooler weather

• Fresh Alberta wildfire status

• New significant wildfire starts

• Restriction changes

• Any new prohibition scheduled within the next 72 hours

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STRUCTURE DEFENCE TAKEAWAY — BOTTOM LINE

Here’s what we know:

The broad direction remains favourable.

Bald Range continues moving into recovery.

Riley Creek has moved from Order to Alert.

Pear Lake and Bonanza Creek remain the primary active SLRD Evacuation Order environments.

The important new incident is Red Creek east of Princeton.

At this point, it is being monitored as a new wildfire response rather than a community evacuation emergency.

The Fraser Canyon continues to carry significant wildfire-related transportation impacts.

Here’s what we’re watching:

Today brings a brief warm and windy period before cooler weather arrives Thursday.

That transition could help existing suppression operations.

But afternoon wind, thunderstorms and lightning remain relevant in the short term.

The next several days will also be important for detecting any holdover fires from recent or new lightning.

Here’s why it matters:

Wildfire conditions do not improve everywhere simultaneously.

One community may be rebuilding while a new fire starts somewhere else.

A road can remain closed because of burned slopes even after the wildfire becomes less active.

And a few cooler days can improve suppression conditions without erasing seasonal dryness.

That is why wildfire intelligence has to remain local, current and operationally grounded.

Indicators describe conditions.

They do not predict what a specific wildfire will do next.

Official emergency instructions always take priority.

Wildfire resilience starts before wildfire arrives.

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SOURCES

• BC Wildfire Service

• EmergencyInfoBC

• Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

• DriveBC / Province of British Columbia road-event system

• Environment and Climate Change Canada

• BC Wildfire Service Prohibitions and Restrictions

• Alberta Wildfire

• Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard

• Alberta Fire Bans