British Columbia Wildfire Map & Tracker
Track active wildfires across British Columbia in real time. WildFire-Ready maps active fires, perimeters, evacuation alerts, smoke and air quality, and fire bans, drawn from BC Wildfire Service, EmergencyInfoBC, Environment and Climate Change Canada (AQHI), DriveBC, and NASA FIRMS, updated continuously.
What causes wildfires in British Columbia
British Columbia's wildfires come from both lightning and people, with lightning responsible for many of the largest, hardest-to-reach fires in the Interior and the north. The province's vast conifer forests, beetle-killed timber, and dry Interior grasslands provide abundant fuel. Hot, dry ridges of high pressure combined with afternoon winds and steep mountain terrain can drive rapid fire growth across the Interior.
British Columbia fire season
British Columbia's wildfire season typically runs from April through October, with the highest activity in the hot, dry weeks of mid to late summer. Lightning and human-caused starts are both common across the province's forests and grasslands, and this is where WildFire-Ready coverage runs deepest, including push alerting.
BC's wildfire season typically runs from April through October. Activity usually builds as the forests dry out, with the most intense weeks in the hot, dry stretch of mid to late summer. Late-summer lightning storms often coincide with the driest fuels, which is when the largest fires tend to start.
How to read the British Columbia map
Flame markers show active fires from the BC Wildfire Service, and selecting one shows its status, such as out of control, being held, or under control. Fire perimeters and evacuation orders and alerts appear as agencies publish them, and you can layer on smoke and air quality. This is where WildFire-Ready coverage runs deepest, including push alerting in the app.
We keep the British Columbia map current so you can check what is burning, watch a fire near you, and see evacuation alerts and air quality in one place. Coverage is part of WildFire-Ready across Western Canada and 18 western US states, serving more than 130 million people, with the deepest coverage in British Columbia and Alberta.
Data sources for British Columbia
Everything we show for British Columbia traces back to the agency that publishes it:
- BC Wildfire Service
- EmergencyInfoBC
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (AQHI)
- DriveBC
- NASA FIRMS
You can verify the province's fire picture directly at the official agency: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/.
British Columbia wildfire FAQ
Are there wildfires in British Columbia right now?
WildFire-Ready shows active wildfires across British Columbia in real time, drawn from official agencies. Open the live map to see currently active fires, their status, and where they are burning. Counts change throughout the day, so check the map for the latest picture and confirm critical details with the responsible agency.
Where can I see British Columbia evacuation orders?
Evacuation orders and alerts for British Columbia appear on the WildFire-Ready map and in the app as they are issued by the responsible emergency-management agencies. Always follow official evacuation orders, and call 911 in an emergency. WildFire-Ready is a companion to 911, not a replacement.
Is the air quality safe in British Columbia?
Wildfire smoke can move air quality from good to hazardous quickly. WildFire-Ready surfaces air-quality readings on the map so you can check conditions near you. During smoke events, follow guidance from your local health authority.
Is there a fire ban in British Columbia?
Fire bans and restrictions for British Columbia are shown on the WildFire-Ready map when they are in effect. Restrictions can change with conditions, so verify the current rules with the official agency, BC Wildfire Service, before lighting any fire.
When is wildfire season in British Columbia?
BC's wildfire season typically runs from April through October, with the highest activity in the hot, dry weeks of mid to late summer. We keep the map live year round so you can check current conditions in any season.
What causes most wildfires in British Columbia?
Both lightning and human activity start wildfires in BC, with lightning behind many of the largest fires in the remote Interior and north. Vast conifer forests, beetle-killed timber, and dry grasslands carry fire once it starts.
How do I sign up for British Columbia evacuation alerts?
Evacuation orders and alerts in BC are issued by local governments and First Nations, with provincial information published through EmergencyInfoBC. We surface these on the map and, in the app, can push alerts for your watched area, but always follow official orders and check with your local authority.
Where does WildFire-Ready get British Columbia fire data?
We draw BC fire data from the BC Wildfire Service, with evacuation information from EmergencyInfoBC, air quality from Environment and Climate Change Canada, road closures from DriveBC, and satellite detections from NASA FIRMS. You can verify the provincial picture directly at the official agency linked on this page.