B.C.’s biggest wildfire classified as ‘being held’ thanks to recent rain

The Martin Lake fire burning northwest of Tatla Lake, B.C. is seen in this handout image on Monday, June 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — BC Wildfire Service **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Drenching rain has helped fire crews in British Columbia’s northeast get a grip on the largest wildfire burning in the province. 

The BC Wildfire Service says the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire northwest of Fort. St. John is now classified as “being held” and is not expected to grow outside its current perimeter. 

The service says about 100 millimetres of rain in recent days has hampered the fire’s growth, and more wet weather is in the forecast this week.

The wildfire merged with another fire earlier this month, becoming the largest in the province at more than 1,500 square kilometres.

The remaining evacuation alerts related to the wildfire were rescinded Monday, but the Peace River Regional District said new orders or alerts may be issued if the situation changes.

To the south, the Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation alert for properties near a wildfire that is burning out of control in the central Interior. 

The Martin Lake fire was discovered Sunday and is burning about 220 kilometres west of Williams Lake. 

The district says the purpose of the alert is to allow people to prepare to evacuate should it be necessary as conditions could change quickly.

The wildfire service says the blaze has grown to about 290 hectares in size, and crews and aviation resources are on site trying to limit its spread. 

It is one of about 100 wildfires burning in B.C., many of which are situated in the province’s northeast.

The service says most of those fires — including the Martin Lake blaze and the Pocket Creek wildfire — are believed to have been set off by lightning, while 21 per cent are suspected to be caused by humans.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.