DAILY INTELLIGENCE LOG

STRUCTURE DEFENCE

British Columbia & Alberta

Monday, August 24, 2026

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

British Columbia remains under a State of Provincial Emergency, currently extended through August 29 because wildfire risk remains elevated in several parts of the province.

Wildfire conditions, evacuation boundaries, transportation access, restrictions and fire behaviour 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 is showing meaningful improvement in several communities, but the landscape has not moved uniformly into recovery.

The clearest positive change today is around Riley Creek south of Lillooet.

Based on a recommendation from BC Wildfire Service, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District plans to downgrade the Riley Creek Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert at 12:30 p.m. today.

Residents must not return until that downgrade officially takes effect.

Pear Lake and Bonanza Creek remain under Evacuation Order within the SLRD.

Twin Two remains under Alert.

Bald Range continues its long transition from mass evacuation toward recovery. The latest RDOS update is focused on returning Faulder and Meadow Valley residents safely rather than new evacuation expansion.

BC Wildfire Service’s provincial dashboard continues to show a substantial active-fire workload. Five Wildfires of Note are currently reported. The accessible dashboard listing explicitly identifies Anderson Creek, Pear Lake, Tower Creek 2 and Ainslie Creek as Out of Control. The fifth incident name was not exposed clearly enough in the public text view this morning to include without guessing.

Ainslie Creek remains particularly important because of its continued effect on the Highway 1 Fraser Canyon corridor.

In Alberta, the significant new-start watch remains GWF058 near the British Columbia border in the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

The wildfire remains Out of Control at approximately 30 hectares.

Importantly, Alberta Wildfire reported Sunday afternoon that there had been no significant growth since the previous day.

Here’s what we’re watching:

The environmental picture is changing again.

The cooler, wetter weekend produced useful short-term recovery in portions of the southern Interior.

Now temperatures are climbing.

Summerland reaches approximately 29°C today and 31°C Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lillooet returns to approximately 30°C today, 33°C Tuesday and 34°C Wednesday.

Boston Bar reaches approximately 30°C today and 33°C Tuesday and Wednesday.

That means surface fuels that benefited from weekend moisture will begin drying again, particularly in places that received limited rainfall.

Here’s why it matters:

This is not a return to the extreme conditions seen earlier in August.

But it is a reminder that one cool, wet weekend does not end wildfire season.

The practical question now is how much moisture actually entered the fuels — and how long that benefit lasts as heat and smoke return.

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TODAY'S CONDITIONS

LILLOOET — RILEY CREEK

Here’s what we know:

The Riley Creek wildfire remains associated with an Evacuation Order and Alert this morning.

The important change is already scheduled.

Based on BC Wildfire Service recommendations, the SLRD plans to downgrade the Riley Creek Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert at 12:30 p.m. today.

BC Wildfire Service crews remain active while demobilization and cleanup continue.

Residents must not return until the Order is formally downgraded.

The environmental picture has changed substantially since the weekend.

At 7:00 a.m., Lillooet was approximately:

• 14°C

• 92% relative humidity

That represents strong overnight humidity recovery.

However, today begins another warming period.

Forecast highs are approximately:

• Monday — 30°C

• Tuesday — 33°C

• Wednesday — 34°C

Wednesday night remains relatively warm near 20°C before a cooler pattern returns Thursday.

Widespread wildfire smoke is also forecast.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Official 12:30 p.m. Riley Creek downgrade

• Re-entry conditions around Texas Creek

• Hotspots during afternoon heating

• Overnight humidity recovery

• Fine-fuel drying Tuesday and Wednesday

• Structure-protection demobilization

• Road access

• Whether Wednesday's heat produces increased visible fire activity

Here’s why it matters:

Moving from Order to Alert is a significant operational improvement.

It means officials believe conditions have improved enough that immediate evacuation is no longer necessary.

It does not mean the fire area has returned to normal.

Residents returning should expect wildfire crews, equipment, damaged vegetation and potentially localized hazards.

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PEAR LAKE — SLRD ELECTORAL AREA B AND SOUTH CARIBOO

Here’s what we know:

Pear Lake remains one of British Columbia's Wildfires of Note and remains classified as Out of Control on the BC Wildfire Service dashboard.

Within the SLRD:

• An Evacuation Order remains active.

• An Evacuation Alert remains active.

Neighbouring portions of the broader Pear Lake incident have moved farther into recovery, but those changes do not alter the SLRD Order.

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

The highway and road-access picture elsewhere around the fire has improved substantially compared with earlier in August.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• SLRD Pear Lake Order changes

• Pavilion-Clinton Road reopening

• Rural property access

• Ranch and livestock operations

• Fine-fuel drying as temperatures increase again

• Remaining hotspot activity

• New lightning or holdover-fire detections

Here’s why it matters:

Pear Lake covers a very large multi-jurisdictional fire environment.

One part of the fire can be well into recovery while another remains under Evacuation Order.

Current local evacuation boundaries remain more useful than making one broad statement about the entire incident.

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BONANZA CREEK — BRIDGE RIVER AND SOUTH CHILCOTIN

Here’s what we know:

The Bonanza Creek Evacuation Order remains active within SLRD Electoral Area A.

A broader Evacuation Alert also remains in effect.

No new evacuation expansion was identified during this morning's authoritative-source scan.

The affected area remains remote, with:

• Long travel distances

• Limited alternate routes

• Ranch operations

• Livestock considerations

• Backcountry recreation

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Order and Alert changes

• Remote-road access

• Fire response as the region dries again

• Ranch and livestock impacts

• Holdover-fire activity

Here’s why it matters:

Remote evacuation takes time.

Moving animals, trailers or vulnerable residents can be substantially more complicated than leaving an urban neighbourhood.

Preparation during the Alert stage remains important even as regional fire behaviour improves.

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TWIN TWO — ELECTORAL AREA C

Here’s what we know:

Twin Two remains under Evacuation Alert.

The previous Evacuation Order has already been downgraded.

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

No new escalation was identified this morning.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Alert rescindment

• Road reopening

• Remaining hotspot activity

• Drying through Tuesday and Wednesday

Here’s why it matters:

Twin Two continues moving in a favourable direction.

The remaining Alert and road restriction show that suppression improvement and full operational recovery do not occur at exactly the same time.

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BALD RANGE — SUMMERLAND, FAULDER AND MEADOW VALLEY

Here’s what we know:

Bald Range remains a major suppression-and-recovery operation.

The latest RDOS update Sunday evening is focused on efforts to return Faulder and Meadow Valley residents safely as soon as conditions allow.

No new broad evacuation expansion was identified in that update.

Because a sufficiently fresh authoritative BC Wildfire Service size and control-status update for Bald Range could not be independently verified in public text this morning, this report is not carrying an older hectare figure or status forward as though it is current.

That is deliberate.

Current re-entry and property-access information is more operationally useful than an older perimeter number.

Summerland was approximately 18°C with 55% relative humidity at 8:00 a.m.

Today's forecast is:

• High near 29°C

• Widespread smoke

• North wind around 20 km/h developing this afternoon

Temperatures then increase to:

• Tuesday — 31°C

• Wednesday — 31°C

A cooler pattern returns later in the week.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Faulder and Meadow Valley re-entry

• Remaining Evacuation Orders

• Active fire areas west of developed Summerland

• Electricity and water restoration

• Hazardous trees

• Road and slope conditions

• Fine-fuel drying Tuesday and Wednesday

• Smoke and visibility

Here’s why it matters:

Bald Range has increasingly become a recovery story for populated areas.

But recovery is not simply the reverse of evacuation.

Returning residents need functioning roads, electricity, drinking water, safe trees and emergency access — not merely reduced flame activity.

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FRASER CANYON — AINSLIE CREEK AND HIGHWAY 1

Here’s what we know:

Ainslie Creek remains listed by BC Wildfire Service as a Wildfire of Note and Out of Control.

The fire continues to have significant transportation consequences in the Fraser Canyon.

Recent Highway 1 restrictions have affected the Yale-to-Boston Bar corridor because wildfire, burned trees, falling rock and debris continue to threaten the route.

Because DriveBC's searchable public text did not expose a sufficiently fresh closure bulletin during this morning's verification, travellers should check the live DriveBC map immediately before entering the canyon rather than relying on a static closure description in this report.

Boston Bar and the canyon environment are warming again.

The Environment Canada forecast is approximately:

• Monday — 30°C with smoke

• Tuesday — 33°C with smoke

• Wednesday — 33°C

Thursday then cools sharply toward approximately 24°C.

Early this morning, the nearest representative observation at Lytton showed:

• Approximately 14°C

• 92% relative humidity

• Calm wind

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Current Highway 1 access

• Ainslie Creek fire activity

• Hazard trees

• Rockfall and slope instability

• Smoke visibility

• Fine-fuel drying

• Infrastructure and rail exposure

Here’s why it matters:

The Fraser Canyon remains both a wildfire incident and an infrastructure incident.

Reduced flame activity does not automatically make a burned transportation corridor safe.

Falling trees, rocks and unstable slopes can continue controlling access well after the most active fire behaviour decreases.

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SOUTHEAST BRITISH COLUMBIA

Here’s what we know:

The Southeast remains operationally relevant because BC Wildfire Service continues to list Tower Creek 2 as a Wildfire of Note and Out of Control, with an Evacuation Alert associated with the incident.

The region also retains multiple active wildfire restrictions.

Weather is now warmer and drier again.

Cranbrook is forecast near:

• Monday — 27°C

• Tuesday — 30°C

• Wednesday — 30°C

• Thursday — 29°C

Local smoke is expected today.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Tower Creek 2

• Existing Evacuation Alert

• Fine-fuel drying Tuesday and Wednesday

• Existing wildfire Area Restrictions

• Holdover fires following weekend lightning

• Human-caused starts

Here’s why it matters:

The immediate Southeast concern has shifted away from thunderstorms and toward drying.

Any holdover lightning fires created during the unsettled period may become easier to detect as fuels warm and smoke columns become more visible.

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ALBERTA — GRANDE PRAIRIE FOREST AREA

Here’s what we know:

GWF058 remains Alberta's most important significant-incident watch this morning.

The Grande Prairie Forest Area remains at High wildfire danger.

Alberta Wildfire reports:

• GWF058 remains Out of Control.

• The fire is approximately 30 hectares.

• It is located near the British Columbia border, south of Township Road 700 at the end of Range Road 133.

• There was no significant growth between Saturday and Sunday's official update.

Resources remain engaged, including:

• Firefighters

• Helicopters

• Airtankers

• Heavy equipment

No community evacuation was identified in the latest official update.

Grande Prairie is forecast near 26°C today with a 30% chance of showers.

Tuesday reaches approximately 27°C.

Wednesday increases toward 29°C.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Any GWF058 growth

• Status change from Out of Control

• New evacuation or access measures

• Structure, energy or transportation exposure

• Additional new starts in the Grande Prairie Forest Area

• Rainfall coverage today

• Increasing temperature through Wednesday

Here’s why it matters:

A 30-hectare wildfire is small compared with the major incidents in British Columbia.

That does not make it insignificant.

An Out of Control fire in High danger deserves attention before community impacts develop.

The encouraging signal is that it showed no significant growth in the latest official update.

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ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

THE WEEKEND MOISTURE BOUGHT TIME — DRYING RESUMES NOW

Here’s what we know:

The weekend weather change produced strong overnight humidity recovery and useful rainfall in parts of the southern Interior.

That has improved short-term suppression conditions.

Today begins the next drying cycle.

Summerland:

• Monday — 29°C

• Tuesday — 31°C

• Wednesday — 31°C

Lillooet:

• Monday — 30°C

• Tuesday — 33°C

• Wednesday — 34°C

Boston Bar:

• Monday — 30°C

• Tuesday — 33°C

• Wednesday — 33°C

Cranbrook:

• Monday — 27°C

• Tuesday — 30°C

• Wednesday — 30°C

Here’s what we’re watching:

• How quickly fine fuels dry

• Overnight humidity recovery

• Afternoon fire activity Tuesday and Wednesday

• Hotspot activity

• Whether recent suppression gains hold

Here’s why it matters:

Rainfall does not create a fixed number of “safe days.”

Its benefit depends on amount, duration, fuel type, exposure and subsequent weather.

Fine grass may dry again relatively quickly.

Large woody fuels and deeper organic layers respond more slowly.

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RAINFALL AND PROLONGED DRYNESS

Here’s what we know:

The weekend rainfall was meaningful in some locations but uneven across the wider reporting area.

Current forecasts do not show another broad wetting event in the main Okanagan and Lillooet fire environments during the next several days.

A better shower signal begins appearing again later in the week.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Actual station rainfall totals

• Locations that received little weekend precipitation

• Consecutive dry days beginning again

• Surface-fuel moisture

• Deeper fuel response

Here’s why it matters:

A wet road does not tell us the moisture condition of an exposed south-facing slope several kilometres away.

Wildfire conditions must be interpreted locally.

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DROUGHT AND FIRE-WEATHER INDICATORS

Here’s what we know:

The BC Wildfire Service fire-weather danger report remains highly variable by weather station.

Drought Code, Buildup Index and Fine Fuel Moisture Code should also be interpreted at the station level.

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

Rather than create false precision, today's operational indicators are:

• Strong overnight humidity recovery in several southern Interior locations

• Renewed temperatures around or above 30°C through Wednesday

• Persistent smoke

• Continuing Out of Control Wildfires of Note

• Active Evacuation Orders in the SLRD

• High wildfire danger around Grande Prairie

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Local Drought Code trends after the weekend moisture

• Fine Fuel Moisture Code

• Buildup Index

• Overnight humidity recovery

• Consecutive dry days

• Active-fire response Tuesday and Wednesday

Here’s why it matters:

Surface and deep-fuel conditions respond on different timescales.

A meaningful rainfall event can reduce short-term fire behaviour without erasing seasonal drought.

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LIGHTNING AND HOLDOVER-FIRE POTENTIAL

Here’s what we know:

The strongest thunderstorm period has moved through many southern B.C. regions.

That shifts the operational question from lightning occurrence to holdover detection.

Some lightning-caused fires may remain concealed for one or more days before becoming visible.

BC Wildfire Service's current dashboard indicates that the large majority of active B.C. wildfires are lightning-caused.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• New smoke during afternoon heating

• Holdover fires appearing Monday through Wednesday

• Clusters of Initial Attack incidents

• New ignitions near communities or transportation routes

Here’s why it matters:

A quiet morning after a thunderstorm does not confirm that no new wildfire was started.

Warming conditions often reveal holdover fires.

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WIND

Here’s what we know:

The strong transitional winds from the weekend have eased substantially.

Today's broad wind signal is comparatively moderate.

Summerland is forecast to develop north wind near 20 km/h.

Lillooet also develops northerly wind near 20 km/h.

Terrain-driven winds remain relevant around active incidents.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Afternoon valley winds

• Wind alignment with exposed slopes

• Smoke movement

• Spotting from remaining active edges

• Hazard-tree failure

Here’s why it matters:

The reduction in broad wind is favourable.

But terrain can still create locally stronger conditions than a regional forecast suggests.

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GRASS CURING AND HUMAN ACTIVITY

Here’s what we know:

Weekend rain does not remove cured grass from the landscape.

Fine fuels that received limited moisture can dry quickly during today's sun and warming temperatures.

Human-caused ignition remains preventable.

Important sources continue to include:

• Trailer chains dragging on pavement

• Hot exhaust systems in cured vegetation

• Agricultural and industrial equipment

• Smoking materials

• Improperly extinguished fires

• Fireworks or exploding targets where prohibited

• Recreational off-road vehicles where prohibited

Alberta reports that approximately 63% of its wildfires this season have been human-caused.

Here’s what we’re watching:

• Roadside starts

• Equipment-related ignitions

• Agricultural fires

• Off-road vehicle compliance

• New fires competing for suppression resources

Here’s why it matters:

The landscape may look greener or damp immediately after rain while exposed grasses are already becoming receptive again.

Prevention remains important.

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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 that 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 also remain active across major southern Interior fire centres, including the Cariboo and Southeast.

The Southeast Fire Centre Category 1 prohibition remains in force unless formally rescinded.

The Cariboo Fire Centre also continues to list active prohibitions.

Local wildfire Area Restrictions remain in place around several active fires.

Alberta restrictions remain location-specific through Alberta Fire Bans.

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:

• Any restriction rescindments following weekend moisture

• Changes to recreational ORV prohibitions

• New Area Restrictions around holdover fires

• Grande Prairie Forest Area restriction changes

• Any prohibition announced for future implementation

Here’s why it matters:

Rain does not automatically cancel a prohibition.

A restriction remains legally in effect until the responsible authority formally changes it.

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HOMEOWNER IMPLICATIONS

For residents returning after an Evacuation Order:

• Wait until the responsible authority formally changes the Order.

• Confirm the exact property status before travelling.

• Check current road access.

• Treat damaged electrical infrastructure as energized.

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

• Confirm drinking-water status.

• Keep evacuation supplies ready while an Alert remains active.

For residents under Evacuation Alert:

• Keep vehicles fuelled.

• Keep identification, medications and important documents prepared.

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

• Know which evacuation routes are available.

For residents outside evacuation areas:

• Use the current suppression window productively.

• Clear needles, leaves and debris from roofs, gutters, decks and the immediate area beside structures.

• Keep grass short.

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

• Verify fire and ORV restrictions before outdoor work or recreation.

These actions can improve readiness.

They are not predictions and cannot guarantee structure survival.

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WHAT CHANGED SINCE YESTERDAY

RILEY CREEK — SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT

• The SLRD plans to downgrade the Riley Creek Evacuation Order to Evacuation Alert at 12:30 p.m. today.

• Residents must wait until the downgrade formally takes effect before returning.

• BC Wildfire Service crews remain active while cleanup and demobilization continue.

PEAR LAKE

• The SLRD Evacuation Order and Alert remain active.

• Pear Lake remains listed as a Wildfire of Note and Out of Control.

BONANZA CREEK

• The Evacuation Order and Alert remain active.

TWIN TWO

• Twin Two remains under Evacuation Alert.

BALD RANGE

• Sunday's RDOS update continues to focus on safe re-entry for Faulder and Meadow Valley.

• No new broad evacuation expansion was identified.

• Older fire-size and control-status figures were deliberately not carried forward without a sufficiently fresh authoritative verification.

FRASER CANYON / AINSLIE CREEK

• Ainslie Creek remains a Wildfire of Note and Out of Control.

• Highway access remains a critical operational issue, but travellers should verify the live DriveBC map because searchable static closure information could not be confirmed to publication standard this morning.

ALBERTA — GWF058

• GWF058 remains Out of Control at approximately 30 hectares.

• Alberta Wildfire reports no significant growth since the previous day.

• Grande Prairie Forest Area danger remains High.

• No community evacuation was identified in the latest official update.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

• The weekend cooling and rainfall period is ending.

• Strong overnight humidity recovery remains visible this morning.

• Temperatures climb again through Wednesday.

• Lillooet reaches approximately 34°C Wednesday.

• Summerland and Boston Bar return to the low 30s.

• Attention now shifts toward fine-fuel drying and holdover-lightning detection.

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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING NEXT

• Official Riley Creek Order downgrade at 12:30 p.m.

• Riley Creek re-entry and cleanup

• Pear Lake Evacuation Order

• Bonanza Creek Evacuation Order

• Twin Two Alert

• Pavilion-Clinton Road reopening

• In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road access

• Bald Range re-entry in Faulder and Meadow Valley

• Current Highway 1 status through the Fraser Canyon

• Ainslie Creek activity

• GWF058 growth or status change in Alberta

• Any new Alberta evacuation or infrastructure impacts

• Fine-fuel drying through Wednesday

• Lillooet's return to 33–34°C

• Holdover-fire detections following weekend lightning

• Smoke and visibility

• Local Drought Code, Buildup Index and Fine Fuel Moisture Code response after weekend rainfall

• New significant wildfire starts

• Restriction changes

• Any prohibition scheduled within the next 72 hours

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STRUCTURE DEFENCE TAKEAWAY — FINAL

Here’s what we know:

The strongest overall signal today is measured improvement without a full seasonal reset.

Riley Creek is preparing to move from Order to Alert.

Bald Range continues toward recovery.

Pear Lake and Bonanza Creek still require active evacuation measures.

Ainslie Creek remains an Out of Control Wildfire of Note with significant Fraser Canyon transportation implications.

And Alberta's GWF058 remains a small but important Out of Control incident in a High-danger forest area, although it showed no significant growth in the latest update.

Here’s what we're watching:

The next test is drying.

The weekend moisture improved short-term conditions.

Now Summerland, Lillooet, Boston Bar and the Southeast begin warming again through Wednesday.

We will be watching whether existing suppression gains hold and whether lightning holdovers emerge as the landscape dries.

Here’s why it matters:

Rainfall can create opportunity without ending wildfire season.

It can give firefighters better conditions to secure control lines and give communities time to recover.

It can also give homeowners a useful window to restore preparedness.

The appropriate response remains calm, practical and local.

Official emergency instructions always take priority.

Wildfire resilience starts before wildfire arrives.

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SOURCES

• BC Wildfire Service

• BC Wildfire Service Wildfire Dashboard

• BC Wildfire Service Fire Weather Danger Class Report

• EmergencyInfoBC

• Province of British Columbia — Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

• Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

• DriveBC

• BC Wildfire Service Prohibitions and Restrictions

• Environment and Climate Change Canada

• Alberta Wildfire

• Grande Prairie Forest Area

• Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard

• Alberta Fire Bans