2021 British Columbia wildfires explained

2021 British Columbia wildfires
Cost:Unknown
Fatalities:2
Location:British Columbia, Canada
Date:Evacuations: 19th April 2021
Buildings:
Unknown,
Estimated 90% of Lytton, British Columbia destroyed in Lytton Creek fire,[1] Village of Monte Lake destroyed and Paxton Valley destroyed
Cause:Lightning and Human-Caused
Landuse:Forest and residential
Injuries:Several
Is Season:yes
Year:2021
Season Name:British Columbia wildfires

The 2021 British Columbia wildfires burned across the Canadian province of British Columbia. The severity of the 2021 wildfire season has been attributed to the combination of extreme heat, lower than normal rainfall, and "repeated severe thunderstorms and lightning events" by the BC Wildfire Service,[2] and possibly exacerbated by human-caused climate change.[3] [4]

As of August 16, over 1,500 fires had been recorded according to the BC Wildfire Service.[5] The Sparks Lake Fire was the largest fire burning in the province, having burned an estimated 95,980 hectares (237,172 acres) of the Bonaparte Plateau northwest of the city of Kamloops.[6] [7] [8] [9]

Development

A heat dome gripped the province of British Columbia, and much of Western North America, from June 25–30, 2021, increasing the risk of wildfires.[10]

On June 30, the town of Lytton was evacuated due to a fire that destroyed most buildings and grew to over 300mi2[11] [12] and sent people fleeing for their lives.

By July 1, 2021, almost 500 wildfires were burning across British Columbia. On July 20 the B.C. government declared a state of emergency.[13]

Wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 405ha, or produced significant structural damage or casualties. More up to date information is available using this interactive map; BC Wildfire Service Map

List of fires over 400ha
NameRegional district <-- of origin-->Hectares (acres)Start dateContainment statusNotes
George Road FireThompson-Nicola5017haBeing heldHuman-caused[14]
Beatton River FirePeace River3400haUnder controlLightning-caused[15]
Buckinghorse FirePeace River6398haUnder controlLightning-caused[16]
Sparks Lake FireThompson-Nicola89627haUnder controlLargest wildfire by area burned[17]
McKay Creek FireSquamish-Lillooet44964haUnder controlSuspected human-caused[18]
Minaker FirePeace River2856haUnder controlLightning-caused[19]
Klawli Lake FireBulkley-Nechako6231haUnder controlLightning-caused[20]
Lytton Creek FireThompson-Nicola83740haUnder controlDestroyed the village of Lytton; two confirmed casualties[21]
Mckinley Lake FireCariboo1835haBeing heldLightning-caused[22]
South of Canim Lake FireCariboo3049haUnder controlLightning-caused[23]
SW of Deka Lake FireCariboo650haUnder controlLightning-caused[24]
Young Lake FireThompson-Nicola7453haUnder controlLightning-caused[25]
Chilako FireBulkley-Nechako1451haUnder controlLightning-caused[26]
Mount Porter FireBulkley-Nechako13659haBeing heldLightning-caused[27]
Succour Lake FireCariboo1600haBeing heldLightning-caused[28]
Tentfire Creek FirePeace River3148haBeing heldLightning-caused[29]
Big Stick Lake FireCariboo7195haUnder control[30]
Black Pine FirePeace River16314haUnder controlLightning-caused[31]
Churn Creek Protected Area FireThompson-Nicola12101haBeing heldLightning-caused[32]
Cultus Creek FireCentral Kootenay2665haBeing heldLightning-caused[33]
Cutoff Creek FireBulkley-Nechako33418haBeing heldLightning-caused[34]
Hotnarko Creek FireCentral Coast1500haBeing heldLightning-caused[35]
Forres Mountain FirePeace River8700haUnder controlLightning-caused[36]
Purdy Lake FireCariboo8100haUnder controlLightning-caused[37]
Bunting Road FireNorth Okanagan5204haBeing held[38]
Chief Louie Lake FireBulkley-Nechako20750haBeing heldLightning-caused[39]
Momich Lake FireThompson-Nicola17049haUnder control[40]
Flat Lake FireThompson-Nicola74194haUnder controlLightning-caused[41]
Akokli Creek FireCentral Kootenay3636haBeing heldLightning-caused[42]
Embleton Mountain FireThompson-Nicola991haUnder control[43]
Hunakwa Lake FireColumbia-Shuswap3601haBeing heldLightning-caused[44]
Mowhokam Creek FireThompson-Nicola5097haBeing heldLightning-caused[45]
Trozzo Creek FireCentral Kootenay5992haUnder controlLightning-caused[46]
Bill Nye Mountain FireEast Kootenay2990haBeing heldLightning-caused[47]
Crazy Creek Gorge FSR FireColumbia-Shuswap4389haBeing heldLightning-caused[48]
Grizzly Lake FireBulkley-Nechako4891haUnder controlLightning-caused[49]
Michaud Creek FireCentral Kootenay14032haBeing heldLightning-caused[50]
Thomas Creek FireOkanagan-Similkameen10597haBeing held[51]
Three Valley Lake FireColumbia-Shuswap498haUnder control[52]
Tremont Creek FireThompson-Nicola62524haUnder control[53]
Chasm FireThompson-Nicola454haUnder controlLightning-caused[54]
July Mountain FireThompson-Nicola19080haBeing heldLightning-caused; merged with Brook Creek Fire[55]
White Rock Lake FireThompson-Nicola81483haBeing heldLightning-caused. Destroyed the village of Monte Lake; part of the city of Kamloops placed under evacuation order, firefighter injured after falling several meters.[56] [57]
Brenda Creek FireCentral Okanagan824haUnder control[58]
Octopus Creek FireCentral Kootenay22049haBeing heldLightning-caused[59]
Nk'Mip Creek FireOkanagan-Similkameen19335haBeing held[60]
Two Mile Road FireColumbia-Shuswap2455haBeing held[61]
Garrison Lake FireOkanagan-Similkameen14564haBeing held[62]
Pine River FirePeace River2542haBeing held[63]
Mt Law FireOkanagan-Similkameen976haUnder controlSuspected human-caused. Parts of West Kelowna evacuated.[64]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Nassar . Hana Mae . Gul . Monika . James . Paul . 'The situation is very, very dire': 90 per cent of Lytton burned, says BC MP . 2 July 2021 . . 1 July 2021.
  2. Web site: Wildfire Season Summary - Province of British Columbia . Government of British Columbia . 25 May 2024 . southern regions (especially the Interior) received only 30 per cent of their normal June rainfall. Temperatures climbed steadily throughout June, culminating in a historic heat wave...The dryness and extreme heat raised the fire danger to extreme levels...These conditions persisted through the first half of July, making fuels increasingly susceptible to ignition. The volatility of these fuels, in combination with repeated severe thunderstorms and lightning events, contributed to multiple new wildfires, rapid fire growth, and increased rates of spread on existing wildfires..
  3. News: 2020-08-12. What you need to know about B.C. wildfires for Aug. 12. CBC News. 2020-08-16.
  4. Web site: Canada's BC declares state of emergency as wildfires surge. 2021-08-17. www.aljazeera.com. en.
  5. Web site: BC Wildfire Dashboard ArcGIS Dashboards. 2021-08-17. governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com.
  6. Web site: Wildfires of Note. 2021-08-17. bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca.
  7. Web site: Peters. James. 1 July 2021. TNRD expands evacuation alerts near Sparks Lake wildfire. live. CFJC-TV. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701201119/https://cfjctoday.com/2021/07/01/tnrd-expands-evacuation-alerts-near-sparks-lake-wildfire/ . 2021-07-01 .
  8. Web site: . 1 July 2021. Sparks Lake fire now estimated at 200 square kilometres in size. live. Kamloops This Week. https://web.archive.org/web/20210702024911/https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/sparks-lake-fire-now-estimated-at-200-square-kilometres-in-size-1.24337723 . 2021-07-02 .
  9. Web site: Sparks Lake wildfire remains largest in B.C.. July 14, 2021 . Kamloops This Week.
  10. Web site: For 3rd straight day, B.C. village smashes record for highest Canadian temperature at 49.6 C. 29 June 2021. Eva Uguen-Csenge, Bethany Lindsay. CBC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210630022153/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-alberta-heat-wave-heat-dome-temperature-records-1.6084203 . 2021-06-30 .
  11. Web site: Lindsay. Bethany. Dickson. Courtney. 30 June 2021. Village of Lytton, B.C., evacuated as mayor says 'the whole town is on fire'. live. CBC News. https://web.archive.org/web/20210630160918/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-wildfires-june-30-2021-1.6085919 . 2021-06-30 .
  12. Web site: Carrigg. David. Raptis. Mike. Bains. Camille. Brown. Scott. 2 July 2021. B.C. Wildfires: Search underway for Lytton residents missing after village engulfed by fire. live. Vancouver Sun. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701025816/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/lytton-residents-ordered-to-evacuate-as-wildfire-takes-control-of-village . 2021-07-01 .
  13. Web site: B.C. declares state of emergency as wildfires grow, forcing more evacuations . . 20 July 2021 . 21 July 2021.
  14. Web site: Wildfires of Note George Road K70804. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210618123057/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=810 . 2021-06-18 .
  15. Web site: Wildfires of Note Beatton River G81007. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044748/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=814 . 2021-07-14 .
  16. Web site: Wildfires of Note G80997. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183146/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=813 . 2021-07-09 .
  17. Web site: Wildfires of Note Sparks Lake K21001. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210630122122/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=811 . 2021-06-30 .
  18. Web site: Wildfires of Note Mckay Creek (K71030). live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210702085810/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=812 . 2021-07-02 .
  19. Web site: Wildfires of Note G91020. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044759/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=815 . 2021-07-14 .
  20. Web site: Wildfires of Note Klawli Lake G61132. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713010621/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=831 . 2021-07-13 .
  21. Web site: Wildfires of Note Lytton Creek . Government of British Columbia . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210702095347/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=818 . 2021-07-02 .
  22. Web site: Wildfires of Note Mckinley Lake C31056. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044752/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=842 . 2021-07-14 .
  23. Web site: Wildfires of Note South of Canim Lake C41100. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044751/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=823 . 2021-07-14 .
  24. Web site: Wildfires of Note SW of Deka Lake C41102. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210702085923/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=816 . 2021-07-02 .
  25. Web site: Wildfires of Note Young Lake C41097. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210715211506/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=849 . 2021-07-15 .
  26. Web site: Wildfires of Note Chilako G11126. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210706223631/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=821 . 2021-07-06 .
  27. Web site: Wildfires of Note Mount Porter G61192. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713010644/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=834 . 2021-07-13 .
  28. Web site: Wildfires of Note Succour Lake C41191. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044745/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=835 . 2021-07-14 .
  29. Web site: Wildfires of Note Tentfire Creek G71138. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210706223627/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=822 . 2021-07-06 .
  30. Web site: Wildfires of Note Big Stick Lake C51290. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711202244/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=824 . 2021-07-11 .
  31. Web site: Wildfires of Note Black Pine G61316. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713010637/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=832 . 2021-07-13 .
  32. Web site: Wildfires of Note Churn Creek Protected Area C21250. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044742/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=825 . 2021-07-14 .
  33. Web site: Wildfires of Note Cultus Creek Modified Response N71245. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210725163706/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=865 . 2021-07-25 .
  34. Web site: Wildfires of Note Cutoff Creek G41269. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210706223626/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=827 . 2021-07-06 .
  35. Web site: Wildfires of Note Hotnarko Creek C51355. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044746/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=841 . 2021-07-14 .
  36. Web site: Wildfires of Note Forres Mountain G61381. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713010638/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=833 . 2021-07-13 .
  37. Web site: Wildfires of Note Purdy Lake C11491. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044753/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=828 . 2021-07-14 .
  38. Web site: Widlfires of Note Bunting Road K41561. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210720024608/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=853 . 2021-07-20 .
  39. Web site: Wildfires of Note Chief Louie Lake R11562. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718093129/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=850 . 2021-07-18 .
  40. Web site: Wildfires of Note Momich Lake K21658. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718093134/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=852 . 2021-07-18 .
  41. Web site: Wildfires of Note Flat Lake C41602. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714044747/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=838 . 2021-07-14 .
  42. Web site: Wildfires of Note Akokli Creek N71686. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210717050657/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=858 . 2021-07-17 .
  43. Web site: Wildfires of Note Embleton Mountain K21644. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210712010517/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=836 . 2021-07-12 .
  44. Web site: Wildfires of Note Hunakwa Lake K41676. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210717143914/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=851 . 2021-07-17 .
  45. Web site: Wildfires of Note Mowhokam Creek V11669. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210808191918/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=868 . 2021-08-08 .
  46. Web site: Wildfires of Note Trozzo Creek N51705. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718093135/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=845 . 2021-07-18 .
  47. Web site: Wildfires of Note Bill Nye Mountain-MR N11629. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210717045325/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=856 . 2021-07-17 .
  48. Web site: Wildfires of Note Crazy Creek Gorge FSR K41769. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210802233837/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=866 . 2021-08-02 .
  49. Web site: Wildfires of Note Grizzly Lake G41711. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210715132132/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=846 . 2021-07-15 .
  50. Web site: Wildfires of Note Michaud Creek N51765. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210717021612/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=854 . 2021-07-17 .
  51. Web site: Wildfires of Note Thomas Creek K51794. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713012151/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=840 . 2021-07-13 .
  52. Web site: Wildfires of Note Three Valley Lake K41807. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722201838/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=861 . 2021-07-22 .
  53. Web site: Wildfires of Note Tremont Creek K21849. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210714011620/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=843 . 2021-07-14 .
  54. Web site: Wildfires of Note Chasm C41866. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718015203/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=848 . 2021-07-18 .
  55. Web site: Widlfires of Note July Mountain K61882. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210720235859/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=859 . 2021-07-20 .
  56. Web site: Wildfires of Note White Rock Lake K61884. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718093130/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=855 . 2021-07-18 .
  57. Web site: Firefighter injured after fall on White Rock Lake fire site. CFGC Today.
  58. Web site: Wildfires of Note Brenda Creek K51924. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210718093131/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=847 . 2021-07-18 .
  59. Web site: Wildfires of Note Octopus Creek N51800. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210717041006/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=857 . 2021-07-17 .
  60. Web site: Wildfires of Note Nk'Mip Creek K52061. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210720210512/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=860 . 2021-07-20 .
  61. Web site: Wildfires of Note Two Mile Road K42078. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210723221442/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=862 . 2021-07-23 .
  62. Web site: Wildfires of Note Garrison Lake K62088. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210725050752/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=864 . 2021-07-25 .
  63. Web site: Wildfires of Note Pine River G72591. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818004436/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=869 . 2021-08-18 .
  64. Web site: Wildfires of Note Mt Law KK52627. live. Government of British Columbia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210816081727/https://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=872 . 2021-08-16 .

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