B.C. warns of elevated wildfire risk as winds arrive with warm, dry conditions

An extreme fire warning sign is shown along Highway 97 toward Fort Nelson outside the Charlie Lake Fire Hall near Fort St. John, B.C., on Monday, May 13, 2024. The B.C. Forest Ministry warns of elevated wildfire risk as winds arrive with warm, dry conditions. (Jesse Boily / The Canadian Press)

The British Columbia government is urging people to use caution as a combination of warm, dry conditions and strong winds moves over the southern part of the province, raising the wildfire risk.

A statement from the Forests Ministry says the BC Wildfire Service is asking people to postpone any open burning until the windy conditions pass, and to use extra care for any backcountry camping.

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says weather over the next several days “could set the stage for dangerous wildfire conditions across the province.”

He says this time of year carries the highest risk of wildfires caused by human activity, most of which are “entirely preventable.”

The statement notes open burning prohibitions are expected to take effect in the coming weeks.

There are nearly two dozen active blazes across the province heading into Friday, with one classified as burning out of control – a 35-hectare blaze that began as two separate fires about 30 kilometres southwest of Dawson Creek in northeastern B.C.

The wildfire service says in a social media post that groundcrews were working to contain that fire with support from helicopters.

It says southwesterly winds were pushing the fire toward Highway 52 North, also known as Heritage Highway, which was open to single-lane-alternating traffic along a stretch between Brassey and Bearhole Lake roads.

Meanwhile, Mounties in Tumbler Ridge, about 120 kilometres south of Dawson Creek, say a wildfire had “destroyed” their fiber optic connection, and telephone, cell phone, radio and internet services were down.

The RCMP statement says anyone requiring police assistance in the Tumbler Ridge area will need to go to the detachment in person.

The wildfire service says three other fires in the same cluster in the Dawson Creek area are classified as “being held,” meaning the flames are not expected to spread beyond their existing area.

This report by Brenna Owen of The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025.