Regional Wildfire Updates from RDEK

Posted:

Updates will be posted in chronological order as they are received, with the newest information added at the top of this page.

Update on Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 8:41 p.m.

Fire activity in the Southeast Fire Centre has significantly increased over the past couple of days. Since Wednesday, July 15, over 2,400 lightning strikes have been recorded in the region, resulting in 38 new wildfires. As we re-enter a period of hot, dry, and windy weather, more new starts are anticipated.

Smoke from many of the current wildfires will be visible. To check the BC Wildfire Service Map, CLICK HERE.

To report a wildfire, use the BC Wildfire Service App or call 1-800-663-5555 from any landline or *5555 from your cellphone.

N11028 – Pennock Creek (Wardner area)

  • This fire is now classed as Being Held (a wildfire that is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.)
  • Estimated size - 25 hectares
  • There are currently 2 Initial Attack Crews and a responding officer responding to this wildfire.
  • There are 2 helicopters responding to this wildfire. Airtankers have completed this mission for the evening, they may return if operational objectives require.

N11020 – Matthew Creek 

  • Estimated size - 50 hectares
  • This fire was discovered this morning and was quickly displaying rank 3 and 4 fire behaviour, meaning a moderate to highly vigorous surface fire with torching or passive crown fire.
  • Fire behaviour is being driven by elevated winds, low relative humidity, and the fuel type (spruce balsam)
  • Burning in steep and mountainous terrain that is unsafe for crews to action directly. Airtankers were dispatched but determined that there were no achievable objectives.
  • A response strategy is being developed that will be implemented if the fire moves towards workable ground.
  • There are no structures or infrastructure currently threatened.

N11036 – Calamity Creek (South of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park)

  • Estimated size - 50 hectares

N11027 – Bootleg Mountain

  • Estimated size – 2.1 hectares
  • Detected this afternoon, this fire was quickly displaying rank 3 and 4 fire behaviour, meaning a moderate to highly vigorous surface fire with torching or passive crown fire.
  • Fire behaviour is being driven by elevated winds, low relative humidity, and the fuel type.
  • Burning in steep and mountainous terrain that is unsafe for crews to action directly. Airtankers were dispatched but determined that there were no achievable objectives.
  • A response strategy is being developed that will be implemented if the fire moves towards workable ground.
  • There are no structures or infrastructure currently threatened.

N10982 – Tower Creek #3 (Meachen Area)

  • Estimated size - 0.01 hectares
  • A helicopter is assigned to the cluster of fires in this area, responding as objectives require.

N10947 – Tower Creek #2 (Meachen Area)

  • Estimated size - 0.009 hectares
  • A helicopter is assigned to the cluster of fires in this area - response varies based on objectives.

N10944 – Tower Creek (Meachen Area)

  • The fire is Being Held

N10943 – Meachen Creek

  • This fire is Being Held

For anyone recreating in the backcountry, we recommend checking the DriveBC website for road closures and the BC Wildfire Map/App for wildfires in the area and possible area restrictions. Please stay alert to changing conditions and emerging incidents and ensure you have exit routes planned and a method of communication.

Update: Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 1:54 p.m

With smoke covering much of the region today, I wanted to share a couple of links.

Here are the latest updates on the wildfire front with information from the BC Wildfire Service:

N11020 – Matthew Creek 

  • This fire was discovered this afternoon
  • The fire is currently estimated at 0.6 hectares in size
  • BC Wildfire Service is responding 

N10982 – Tower Creek #3 (Meachen Area)

  • This fire was discovered last night and is in the same region as the other fires discovered in the Meachen area yesterday
  • The fire is currently estimated at 0.01 hectares in size
  • There is an Initial Attack crew responding to this fire
  • A helicopter is assigned to the cluster of fires in this area, responding as objectives require

N10947 – Tower Creek #2 (Meachen Area)

  • The fire is currently estimated at 0.009 hectares in size
  • A helicopter is assigned to the cluster of fires in this area - response varies based on objectives

N10944 – Tower Creek (Meachen Area)

  • The fire is now classed as Being Held
  • A helicopter is assigned to the cluster of fires in this area - response varies based on objectives

N10943 – Meachen Creek

  • This fire is now classed as Being Held
  • A helicopter is assigned to the cluster of fires in this area - response varies based on objectives

N11007 – Perry Creek FSR (Northwest of Cranbrook)

  • This fire was discovered last night and is now classed as Under Control

N20809 – Lussier River

  • This fire is now classed as Under Control

With fire activity increasing across the region, now is a good time to sign up for the Regional Evacuation Notification System (ENS) powered by Voyent Alert! or if you are already signed up, ensure that your location(s) is correctly placed.

The ENS notifies residents and property owners only in case of evacuation orders or alerts during critical events such as wildfires, floods, or hazardous materials incidents. This system is critically important in emergencies. It provides immediate notification when every second counts.

For instructions on how to sign up for the service and receive notifications by phone, both to landlines and mobile phones, or via a dedicated app, visit the RDEK Emergency Information page HERE.

With several lightning strikes throughout the region last night and strong winds expected this afternoon, it is critical that if you see smoke or a wildfire, you use the BC Wildfire App to report it or call 1-800-663-5555 from any landline or *5555 from your cellphone.

Find the most current wildfire information at www.bcwildfire.ca