Wildfires in Canada today
So far in 2026, 2,608,022 hectares have burned in Canada — 38% below the 20-year average. Right now 169 wildfires are burning.
2,608,022 hectares so far this year, 38% below the average. Out of the 26 countries the European system tracks, Canada ranks 10th for area burned relative to its average.
Named fires in British Columbia, Canada
Detailed reports with satellite imagery and data.
Burning right now “Contained” doesn’t mean out. It’s the share of the perimeter where crews stopped the spread. In most of Europe it isn’t published; “not held back yet” is an official 0%.
See all fires in British Columbia →We email you when satellites detect new fire in the area. Free, no account.
About wildfires in British Columbia
British Columbia is Canada's most wildfire-affected province, with fire seasons growing longer and more destructive as the climate warms. The dry Interior — the Cariboo, Okanagan, Thompson, and Kootenay regions — bears the brunt, while smoke routinely blankets Vancouver and the coast during severe summers.
Recent years have shattered records: 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023 all ranked among the worst seasons ever, and the 2021 Lytton fire destroyed the village a day after it recorded Canada's hottest-ever temperature of 49.6°C. The BC Wildfire Service manages thousands of fires each year across the province.
Our satellite tracker monitors every fire hotspot detected across British Columbia in real time, from Vancouver Island to the Rockies.
Today across Canada
Fifty fires are still burning in Canada, covering some 1,464,289 hectares between them. The biggest by far is near Collins, at around 301,240 hectares.
It is a calmer year than usual. Canada has lost 2,617,613 hectares so far, well below its usual 4,237,529 hectares — the 10th worst figure among the 26 countries Copernicus tracks.
Around Collins it is cool and damp, with a gentle breeze and good air quality. Light rain is possible.
Updated 8 Oct
British Columbia wildfire season
British Columbia's wildfire season runs from late spring through early fall, peaking in the hot, dry stretch of July and August. The dry Interior plateaus and valleys — Kamloops, the Okanagan, and the Cariboo — carry the largest and most frequent fires, driven by summer lightning and heat.
Coastal BC stays wetter and greener, but severe drought years can bring fire and heavy smoke even to Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
Notable wildfires in history
- 2023 Record 2023 Season
British Columbia endured one of its worst fire years on record, with millions of hectares burning and mass evacuations across the Interior and the north.
- 2021 Lytton Fire
A fast-moving fire destroyed the village of Lytton just a day after it set Canada's all-time heat record of 49.6°C during a deadly heat dome.
- 2018 Record 2018 Season
British Columbia set a new record with about 1.35 million hectares burned, surpassing the previous record set just the year before.
- 2017 Elephant Hill Fire
Part of a record 2017 season, the Elephant Hill fire burned nearly 200,000 hectares in the Cariboo and forced thousands from their homes.
Main causes & risk factors
- Hot, dry summers and deepening drought across the Interior
- Frequent summer lightning igniting remote forests
- Vast beetle-killed and dense boreal and montane forests
- Strong winds that drive rapid fire growth in valleys
- A warming climate lengthening the fire season
- Human ignitions from equipment, vehicles, and campfires
Safety & preparedness
- Check the BC Wildfire Service and any campfire or open-burning bans before heading out
- Sign up for regional district emergency alerts and evacuation orders
- Keep a go bag ready and plan at least two evacuation routes
- Track the Air Quality Health Index and stay indoors during heavy smoke
- Report a wildfire immediately by calling *5555 on a cell or 1-800-663-5555
Affiliate links — at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
When is wildfire season in British Columbia?
Late spring through early fall, peaking in July and August, when the Interior is hottest and driest.
Which part of BC has the most wildfires?
The dry Interior — the Cariboo, Thompson-Okanagan, and Kootenays — sees the most and largest fires, while the coast stays wetter.
What was BC's worst wildfire year?
2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023 all rank among the worst on record, each burning enormous areas and forcing mass evacuations.
Where does this map's fire data come from?
Every hotspot comes from NASA's FIRMS system, using VIIRS satellites that detect active fires several times a day.
Is this British Columbia wildfire map free?
Yes — it's completely free and needs no sign-up. You can track active fires across BC and the world in real time.