BC Wildfire Season Set Drought Records, Burned 477,000 Hectares
At a national wildfire conference in Kelowna, BC Wildfire Service presented data showing drought codes above the 100th percentile of the 30-year average near the province's worst fires.
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British Columbia's 2026 wildfire season set drought records at several weather stations near the province's worst fires and burned more than 477,000 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Service data presented at the Canadian Wildfire Conference in Kelowna on October 28 and 29.
BC Wildfire Service provincial aviation specialist J.J. Lum told the conference that the French Bar weather station, nearest the Big Bar Complex, recorded drought levels above the 100th percentile of the 30-year average between May and mid-August. Weather stations nearest the Brunswick Complex and the Bald Range wildfire also recorded above the 100th percentile through August. "We were facing drought like we've never seen before," Lum said, according to the Nanaimo News Bulletin's report.
Scale of the season
Between April 1 and October 1, BC saw more than 1,400 new fire starts and 10 wildfires of note. The fires affected more than 53,000 people across 53 communities and First Nations. The Cariboo Fire Centre was the most active, recording 233 wildfires that burned more than 200,000 hectares. Lum noted the Cariboo is also the smallest fire centre. The Northwest and Prince George centres combined saw 218 wildfires burn 1,349 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service deployed 1,863 personnel during the season and engaged with 126 fire departments. Support arrived from multiple Canadian provinces and territories, Parks Canada, the Canadian Forest Service, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand.
Lum said the season was average in total fire count, but pointed to where fires start as the key factor. The number of starts matters less than their location and how large they grow, he told the conference.
New technology in use
BC Wildfire Service conducted the first drone ignitions in Canada in 2026, completing six in total. The agency's 12 night vision imaging system officers flew 395 missions during the season, including 210 night runs with helitankers that dip water, and detected 20 new fire starts while flying in the dark. By the end of the season, crews on the Bald Range fire were coordinating drone ignitions, aerial ignition aircraft and ground crews simultaneously at night.
Coordination with local fire departments
At a panel on structure protection, fire professionals said coordination between BC Wildfire and local departments has improved. BX Swan Lake Fire Rescue Fire Chief Bill Wacey said municipalities and regional districts hold final responsibility for fires on their land. He said the partnership with BC Wildfire crews has been valuable, with both services working toward the same goal when crews are available.
People in BC communities with high wildfire risk can find current fire information and evacuation status at bcwildfire.ca and current evacuation orders at emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca. Residents can sign up for local emergency alerts through their municipality or regional district.
Questions this story answers
How severe was BC's 2026 wildfire season?
According to BC Wildfire Service data presented at the Canadian Wildfire Conference in Kelowna on October 28-29, the 2026 season produced more than 1,400 new fire starts between April 1 and October 1, with 10 wildfires of note. The fires affected more than 53,000 people across 53 communities and First Nations and burned more than 477,000 hectares across the province.
What made the drought conditions in 2026 historically unusual?
BC Wildfire Service provincial aviation specialist J.J. Lum told the Canadian Wildfire Conference that the French Bar weather station, nearest the Big Bar Complex, recorded drought levels above the 100th percentile of the 30-year average between May and mid-August. Weather stations nearest the Brunswick Complex and the Bald Range wildfire also recorded above the 100th percentile through August. Lum said: 'We were facing drought like we've never seen before.'
Which part of BC saw the most fire activity?
The Cariboo Fire Centre had the most activity in 2026, with 233 wildfires burning more than 200,000 hectares, according to the Nanaimo News Bulletin's report on the conference. Lum noted the Cariboo is also the smallest fire centre. By contrast, the Northwest and Prince George centres combined recorded 218 wildfires that burned 1,349 hectares.
How many BC Wildfire Service personnel were deployed in 2026?
BC Wildfire Service deployed 1,863 personnel during the 2026 season and engaged with 126 fire departments, according to J.J. Lum's conference presentation. Crews also received support from personnel in multiple Canadian provinces and territories, Parks Canada, the Canadian Forest Service, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand.
What new technology did BC Wildfire Service use in 2026?
BC Wildfire Service conducted the first drone ignitions in Canada in 2026, completing six in total. The agency's 12 night vision imaging system officers flew 395 missions, including 210 night helitanker runs, and detected 20 new fire starts while flying in the dark. By the end of the season, crews were coordinating drone ignitions, aerial ignition aircraft and ground crews simultaneously at night on the Bald Range fire.
What was the role of international crews?
BC Wildfire Service called on personnel from multiple Canadian provinces and territories, Parks Canada, the Canadian Forest Service, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand during the 2026 season, according to the conference presentation. The mutual aid arrangements are a standard part of wildfire response in Canada during a severe season.
Where can BC residents find current wildfire and evacuation information?
BC Wildfire Service publishes current fire information at bcwildfire.ca, and Emergency BC posts current evacuation orders and alerts at emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca. Residents in high-risk areas can sign up for local emergency alerts through their municipality or regional district.
Does the new provincial government have promises about wildfire and drought?
The Conservative Party of BC 2026 platform includes commitments on wildfire management and natural resources. Specific details of the incoming government's wildfire funding and response plans have not yet been announced. The BC provincial tracker at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker will update as commitments are acted on.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- Nanaimo News Bulletin: Drought codes reach record levels nearest BC's worst wildfires in 2026nanaimobulletin.com
- BC Wildfire Service current fire informationbcwildfire.ca
- Emergency BC current evacuation orders and alertsemergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca
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