Evacuations in B.C. amid risk of 'outburst' from glacier lake

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District provided this map of some of the properties ordered to evacuate on June 25, 2026.

Two dozen properties in southwest British Columbia have been ordered evacuated due to the risk of flooding and debris from a possible outburst of a melting glacier.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District says there is an immediate danger to life and safety caused by the risk of overland flooding and debris in the Poole Creek and Gates Lake area.

The regional district says RCMP and other agencies are expediting the evacuation in the community about 30 kilometres north of Pemberton.

It says that accommodation in the area is limited and evacuees should try to stay with family and friends, if possible.

The evacuation order replaces an alert issued on June 7, which warned of a possible outburst as the Place Glacier melts in the heat.

Officials said then that the monitoring system for the glacial lake had reached approximately the same volume seen during an outburst last year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2026