A forest fire burning near the BC/Yukon border
Photo: TranBC, Creative Commons, Flickr
Level 3
We have about 2000 forest fires every summer in BC.
Forest fires are also called “wildfires”.Many hectares of forest are lost every year.
Sometimes homes are lost, too.
The wildfire season starts when the forest gets dry in the spring.The fire season ends when the forests get wet from rain and snow in the fall.Wildfires happen in forests and grasslands. Summer and early fall are dangerous times for fires.
Read the PDF.
- Wildfires in BC-PDF
- This link is a silent video that gives written guides for care around campfires.
- Status of fires this year
If you see a wildfire, report it.
How can I report a wildfire?
- Phone one of these numbers:
1-800-663-5555
or - *5555 on your cell phone
or - 9-1-1[/stextbox]
What will happen when I phone?
The operator will ask you some important questions.
- What is your phone number?
- Where is the fire?
- What kind of trees are burning?
- How big are the trees?
- Is the fire spreading? How fast is it spreading?
- What colour is the smoke?
- Is anyone in danger?
Kelowna 2003
Photo: lafrancevi, Creative Commons, Flickr
For more information about wildfires, you can phone the
Wildfire Information number.
1-888-3-FOREST (1-888-336-7378).
There is no cost for the phone call.
Spences Bridge 2005
Photo: Jodene, Creative Commons, Flickr
Merritt 2005
Photo: Striatic, Creative Commons, Flickr