Evacuation alert issued as wildfire burns out of control in East Kootenay area

Ground crews and helicopters are battling the Lussier River fire in B.C.'s East Kootenay region after the blaze was discovered on July 11, 2026. (BC Wildfire Service)

An out-of-control wildfire burning between Invermere and Cranbrook has prompted evacuation alerts in a popular recreational area after growing rapidly over the weekend.

The Lussier River wildfire was discovered on Saturday and has since grown to 115 hectares, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

An update issued by Emergency Info B.C. on Sunday morning placed 72 addresses on evacuation alert, primarily in the Premier Lake and Lussier River area. Multiple campgrounds and recreational spaces are included in the alert, as well as much of Premier Lake Provincial Park.

“Given the dry conditions and the fact that there is only one road in and out of the area, this alert is being issued,” Regional District of East Kootenay information officer Loree Duczek said, in a statement.

“This is a heavily used recreation area, and we are encouraging those in the vicinity to stay aware of the potential for changing conditions on this fire.”

The area under evacuation alert stops just over 10 kilometres east of Skookumchuck, B.C., but no additional alerts or warnings are currently in place for the community.

While the fire remains classified as being out of control, the BC Wildfire Service said, “milder winds and cooler temperatures have limited fire behaviour” through Sunday morning.

Wildfire officials believe the blaze was caused by humans.