Images of wildfires generated by artificial intelligence are circulating online in B.C., prompting a warning from the provincial wildfire service. The agency posted to social media Tuesday, urging the public to arm themselves against being duped by identifying reliable sources of information to rely upon. “During wildfire season, people turn to social media for updates and to share information. This can be a time of fear and anxiety and during times of concern misinformation can spread quickly and add to the uncertainty,” the BCWS post said. “Whether well-intentioned or intentionally misleading, misinformation is the last thing any of us need during emergencies.” Related: Full coverage of B.C.’s 2025 wildfire season Two examples of AI images purporting to be of actual wildfires were provided to illustrate the point. “They do not accurately represent the terrain, fire size or fire behaviour in the area,” the BCWS said. “Someone scrolling past could believe this image is real or accurate when it is not.” The service has its own website and app which both provide up-to date information on the provincial wildfire situation, as well as detailed updates on individual blazes, and people are being encourages to turn there if seeking a trustworthy source. Signing up for local emergency notification systems is also encouraged, as is picking a trusted local news source to monitor.
