Wildfires
Wildfires have become an ongoing presence during the spring/summer season in British Columbia.
This resource list is created to help British Columbians affected by wildfires navigate relevant information by breaking it down into categories, providing easy access to key phone numbers, as well as links to sources of detailed and up-to-date information. To speak with a 211 Resource Navigator, dial 2-1-1 or text 2-1-1.
Note: For up-to-date information on active wildfires, evacuation orders and alerts, and evacuee reception centres, visit your Local Authority, First Nation or Regional District website.
Last Updated: June 20, 2025 at 11:30 am PT
BC Wildfire Service
- Website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
- Twitter/X: twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
- Report wildfires/smoke/flames/unattended campfires: 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone
- Fire Information Line: 1-888-336-7378
BC Wildfire Service App
The free BC Wildfire Service App provides real-time wildfire information and an interactive map. It also shows fire danger ratings, active fires, evacuation orders and alerts, and has a fire reporting tool. Free to download on Android and Apple (iOS) devices from Google Play or the App Store.
Voyent Alert!
Voyent Alert! is being used by a number of regional districts to share local emergency notifications. Free to download on Android and Apple (iOS) devices from Google Play or the App Store.
Alertable
Alertable is being used by some regional districts to share local emergency notifications. Free to download on Android and Apple (iOS) devices from Google Play or the App Store.
The following resources will have the most current information on active wildfires, as the fire situation changes over time.
For up-to-date information, visit your Local Authority, First Nation or Regional District website. Most First Nations and Regional Districts post wildfire information bulletins and evacuation order instruction letters on their website.
Emergency Info BC
Provides information for residents and evacuees affected by wildfires, including updates about Evacuation Orders and Alerts, and official response and recovery resources. Provides links to details as specified by the relevant Regional District or First Nation.
- Website: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreparedBC/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/EmergencyInfoBC
See EmergencyMapBC for current Evacuation Orders and Alerts.
BC Wildfire Service
Provides information on current Evacuation Orders and Alerts. Also lists contact details for the information officer assigned to each incident who can provide further updates on response and resources deployed. Provides an overview of the provincial wildfire situation, specific fire locations, states of control, and danger ratings.
- Wildfire Dashboard: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/dashboard
- Wildfire Map: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map
When required, an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) will be activated by the Regional District or First Nation to support the emergency or disaster. An EOC is responsible for declaring states of local emergency (SOLEs) and issuing evacuation orders/alerts.
First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS)
Provides information on First Nations impacted by emergency events, including Evacuation Orders and Alerts.
- Website: https://www.fness-eoc.ca/
- Phone: 250-377-7600 from 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday
- For after hours assistance phone line: 1-888-822-3388
Emergency Support Services (ESS)
ESS provides short-term basic support with accommodation, food, and medical/prescription services to people impacted by disasters. The program is financed by provincial government and administered by Indigenous communities and local governments. Register with ESS in person at a reception centre or online through the Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) system: ess.gov.bc.ca.
Support can be accessed online or in-person at a reception centre. Locations of reception centres are in the evacuation orders of the relevant regional district or First Nations government (see section above).
Accommodation allowance of $200 per night for registered evacuees available through e-transfer (BC Services Card app required) or at reception centres. Alternatively, evacuees can still receive a direct referral to a hotel or other accommodation.
- Assistance with Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) profile or Service BC authentication: 1-800-387-4258
- Hours are 7:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Sunday
- ESS provincial phone line: 1-800-585-9559
- Hours 9 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday during evacuations.
Financial Supports
BC Hydro
BC Hydro is offering bill credit and payment plans for evacuees https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/evacuee-help.html
- Credit automatically applied for customers under evacuation order lasting at least five days.
Animals and Pets
BC SPCA provides information and support for evacuees with pets, emergency pet boarding, and animal care services (lost/stray animal reunification and rehoming of unclaimed pets during emergencies). To request emergency services or provide info about animals left behind in evacuated areas, call 1-855-622-7722.
Those who want to provide emergency foster care can sign up at MyImpactPage – BC SPCA – Emergency/Disaster Response Team
Medical Needs
Filling Prescriptions: Displaced residents who are running low or need help filling prescriptions can go to any community pharmacy in any town across British Columbia. Bring as much information as possible, such as a piece of identification, or an old bottle of medication or an inhaler. Find a Pharmacy or Registrant | College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) – Health Benefits Support Line for Evacuees
The FNHA Health Benefits team can support clients to access health services, medications, supplies and equipment if they are evacuated or separated from their usual providers.
- Phone (toll-free): 1-855-550-5454
Telus Health offers virtual access to licensed medical professionals for BC residents.
FYI Doctors offers free replacement eyeglasses if prescription glasses were lost or damaged during evacuation. Individuals can visit the nearest clinic for support. The website also lists clinic closures.
Road Closures and Conditions
- Website: drivebc.ca
- Phone: 1-800-550-4997
- Twitter/X: twitter.com/DriveBC
BC Park closures: www.bcparks.ca/active-advisories/?type=wildfire
Recreation site and trail closures: www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/closures.aspx
BC Hydro provides power outage updates and information on emergency preparation. When returning home after evacuation, call 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376) if experiencing problems with your power.
FortisBC provides information on preparing for imminent wildfires. For any concerns related to electricity service following an evacuation, call 1-866-436-7847.
Telus provides service outages information and updates on their website.
Rogers provides service outages information and updates on their website.
Each fire centre continually assesses the need to implement fire bans and restrictions to campfires/open burning to help reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety. This is based on local fire hazards, weather conditions, and fire activity.
To view fire prohibitions and restrictions within each regional fire centre, see the most current fire information bulletins. Check with local government for other restrictions before lighting any fire.
Category 3 fire lighting must obtain a burn registration number first: call 1-888-797-1717.
BC Wildfire Service monitors regions impacted by wildfire smoke. Significant influx of wildfire smoke creates poor visibility and may impact aviation resources’ ability to safely support active fires. Poor air quality can also endanger human health and the environment.
FireSmoke Canada provides information and resources about smoke from wildfires, including hourly, daily average, and daily maximum forecasts of ground-level concentrations of smoke particles. See their interactive map for current smoke forecasts: firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current
BC Air Quality information including advisories: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-quality
Environment Canada Weather Alerts: weather.gc.ca
PreparedBC has tips on preparing for disaster and offers a Wildfire Preparedness Guide. Information is also available via https://x.com/PreparedBC..
FireSmart BC offers resources on how to minimize risk from wildfire.
Government of BC has prevention resources, including FireSmart resources; open fire prohibitions and restrictions; fire prevention for industry and operators; information on vegetation and fuels management; funding for wildfire prevention; and wildfire legislation.
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) provides information on wildfire smoke and how to prevent/minimize health risks, and maintaining clean air in your home during wildfire season.
Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) provides guides on preparing emergency disaster kit for pets.
Agriservice BC provides information and resources for emergency management of agriculture, including resources for wildfire preparedness and mitigation planning for agricultural producers.
310Mental Health Support provides a province-wide mental health helpline for those in need of emotional support. Available 24/7. Call 310-6789 (no area code required).
Canadian Mental Health Association (BC Division) offers tips on coping with natural disaster stress, and helpful links and resources: https://cmha.bc.ca/documents/coping-with-disaster-stress. People can also check with their local branches to see if extra counselling services or other resources are offered.
First Nations Health Authority supports First Nations communities and individuals with wildfire response, evacuation, and recovery, including access to counselling, traditional supports, and culturally safe spaces.
Hope for Wellness Helpline is available 24/7 to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services. Call 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat.
Cultural Support for Wildfire Impacted Individuals offered by Indian Residential School Survivors Society through the Elder and Cultural Support Line. Call 1-833-414-HEAL / 1-833-414-4325 between 4:30 pm and 7 pm, seven days per week
KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a province-wide crisis line for Indigenous people. Available 24/7. Phone: 1-800-588-8717.
Rhodes Wellness College provides free counselling from senior counselling students to those evacuated due to wildfires. Appointments can be booked online.
Canadian Red Cross offers a step-by-step Fire Recovery Guide for returning to a home with potential fire damage.
Recover after a wildfire resources from Prepared BC.
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for communities is available to help Indigenous communities and local governments impacted by wildfires with the cost of infrastructure repairs.
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for home owners, residential tenants, small business owners, farm owners, and charitable organizations offers guidelines on eligible events, and the process to apply for assistance, if eligible.
BC Guidance for Owners of Property Impacted by Wildfire Contaminants provides information and tools for remediation of contaminated sites.
North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society connects residents affected by wildfires with funds and services. Any assistance provided pays suppliers to help; no cash grants direct to applicants. Needs and assessment form available on the website.
BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) offers free resources to assist individuals and businesses to prepare for and recover from economic disasters. Includes loss of business/workforce impacts.
Insurance Bureau of Canada provides information on insurance coverage and the claims process for people affected by BC wildfires. If individuals can’t find the information they’re looking for online, call the Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ASK-IBC (1-844-227-5422) or email AskIBCWest@ibc.ca
United Way BC: United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund
Canadian Red Cross: Canadian Wildfire Fund
Salvation Army: Wildfire Emergency Relief
United Way BC iVolunteer: Volunteer Opportunities linked to wildfire response in British Columbia.
Look for additional supports online
Browse the 211 online directory for more resources that may be relevant to you.