Invermere FireSmart

09/23/2026

🔥 COLUMBIA VALLEY PRESCRIBED BURNS UNDERWAY TODAY – SEPTEMBER 23

A suitable burn window has opened and prescribed fire operations are underway today in the Wilmer and Windermere areas as part of the Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX prescribed fire training exchange.

Residents in Invermere and throughout the Columbia Valley can expect to see and smell smoke in the area over the next few days. Smoke conditions may vary throughout the day depending on local terrain and weather conditions.

If you’re travelling in the area, please be aware that Westside Road may experience intermittent closures and traffic control, and the Wilmer Wetlands Trail will be inaccessible during main ignition operations.

These are planned and carefully managed prescribed burns being carried out under suitable conditions with experienced wildfire personnel on site.

Please see the original post below for full details and updates. 🔥

We are on site today, September 23, for multiple prescribed burns in the Southeast Fire Centre’s Invermere Fire Zone.

A suitable burn window has opened today for prescribed burns in the Wilmer area, located approximately 1 kilometre north of Wilmer, and Windermere area on ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation land, located approximately 7.5 kilometers southeast of the community of Windermere. Test ignitions were successfully completed in recent days.

Smoke from these burns is expected to be variable due to local terrain, but may be visible over the next few days from surrounding communities and to motorists travelling along Highway 93/95. Venting is forecast to be better during the afternoon periods.

Motorists planning to travel along Westside Road can expect traffic control, and Westside Road may be intermittently closed to support crew safety while operations are underway. Stopping on Westside Road near the burn area will not be permitted. Additionally, the Wilmer Wetlands Trail will not be accessible while main ignition operations are underway.

These projects are being implemented by Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX participants. Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX is a prescribed fire training exchange co-hosted by Ktunaxa Nation and the BC Wildfire Service, with support from the First Nations' Emergency Services Society of BC and UBCO’s Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program. Safety is always our top priority and participants in this training exchange will be working alongside experienced BC Wildfire Service staff and with guidance from local partners and project proponents.

Find more information on the Wilmer prescribed burn: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/ecosystem-restoration-burn-planned-for-wilmer-area/

Find more information on the Windermere ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation land prescribed burn: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/prescribed-burn-planned-for-windermere-area-on-akisqnuk-first-nation-land/

09/23/2026

From BC Wildfire Service: Fall 2026 prescribed and cultural burning planned in the Southeast Fire Centre

BC Wildfire Service has multiple planned burns coming up throughout the region this fall. Further details on these burns can be found here: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/category/information-bulletins/

1) Culturally Informed Ecosystem Restoration Burn planned for Dry Gulch area

- BC Wildfire Service is supporting BC Parks and the Shuswap Band in conducting an ecosystem restoration prescribed burn within the Dry Gulch Provincial Park area. This burn could begin as early as Friday, September 18, 2026.

2) Ecosystem restoration burn planned for Kootenay River Ranch

- The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada in conducting an ecosystem restoration burn in the Kootenay River Ranch area. This burn could begin as early as Friday, September 18, 2026.

3) Ecosystem restoration burn planned for Wilmer area

- The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Rocky Mountain Resource District and the Canadian Wildlife Service in conducting an ecosystem restoration prescribed burn in the Wilmer area. This burn could begin as early as Monday, September 21, 2026.

4) Prescribed Burn planned for Windermere area on ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation land

- The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation in conducting an ecosystem restoration burn in the Windermere area. This burn could begin as early as Monday, September 21, 2026.

If you have questions, burn-specific contacts can be found in each of the news bulletins found within the above link.

Contact BC Wildfire Service here:
Fire Information Team
Southeast Fire Centre
250-318-7715
[email protected]

08/17/2026

During an emergency, hotels and other accommodations may be needed to support evacuees.

Ensure you have at least one out-of-area contact who you can connect with and possibly stay with in case of an Evacuation Order 🔥

Learn more: PreparedBC.ca/EmergencyPlan

08/17/2026

08/15/2026

Come down to the Invermere Farmers and Artists Market and come say hi to Invermere Fire Rescue - Station 2200 & Invermere FireSmart !

08/14/2026

What causes wildfires in B.C.? Here’s the breakdown according to our 10-year average from 2016 - 2025:

• Lightning: ~60%
• Category 2, 3 Open Fire: ~8.1%
• Category 1 Campfire: ~6.5%
• Vehicle: ~3.9%
• Arson or suspicious: ~3.8%
• Miscellaneous: ~3.5%
• Electrical distribution or infrastructure: ~3%
• Equipment use: ~2.1%
• Railroad: ~1.1%
• Smoking substances: ~0.8%
• Undetermined: ~7.1%

When conditions are hot, dry and windy, a small ignition can quickly become a wildfire. Most human-caused wildfires are preventable. Please do your part.

Follow prohibitions and restrictions:
https://www.gov.bc.ca/fireprohibitions

Get FireSmart:
https://firesmartbc.ca/

08/13/2026

A few simple tasks can make a big difference if a wildfire emergency strikes. Ensuring your family is prepared to leave quickly is one aspect of doing your part.

Learn how to prepare and what to include in your emergency grab-and-go bag at https://firesmartbc.ca/prepare

08/13/2026

If you receive an Evacuation Order due to wildfire, keep yourself, your community and first responders safe by following it.

Leave the area immediately with your grab-and-go bags.

On the way out, close all doors and windows. Turn on lights so your home is visible to firefighters in smoke.

Follow all instructions from officials.

Evacuating a home is a difficult and emotional experience, but if you are placed under Evacuation Order you are at risk and need to leave the area immediately. If you stay and have a medical emergency or need to be rescued, help may not be able to get to you.

Learn more: https://gov.bc.ca/evacuee-guidance

08/12/2026

REGIONAL WILDFIRE UPDATE & THUNDERSTORM WATCH (posted: Aug.12.26 - 11:35am)

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the southern part of the region. The storms may bring strong winds, lightning, and hail and there is potential for these cells to move through the entire East Kootenay over the next 24-36 hours or so. Check Environment Canada for the latest.

Here is the latest information on local wildfires with information from the BC Wildfire Service:

🔥Matthew Creek Wildfire - W of Kimberley
• Yesterday crews completed a successful planned ignition to remove unburnt fuel between the fire's edge and pre-established control lines
• Crews remained onsite after the ignitions were completed to mop-up and patrol for any hot spots, and were supported by helicopters
• Operations are ongoing on this fire
• Today there are 63 firefighting personnel on the ground along with helicopter and heavy equipment support
• Area Restriction in effect

🔥Tower Creek Fire - W of St. Mary Lake
• No changes to report. It is classified as BEING HELD.

🔥Calamity Creek Wildfire - 40km NW of Kimberley
• BEING HELD and is being monitored
• Area Restriction in effect

🔥Diorite - 3km E of Premier Lake
• It is now classified as BEING HELD and is not expected to grow further beyond the pre-determined boundary
• It continues to be monitored

🔥Jumbo Creek Fire - 39km W of Invermere
• Area Restriction in effect
• It is being regularly monitored and is not threatening structures or critical infrastructure

🔥SOUTH COUNTRY AREA FIRES
• Ranger Lake fire 10km N of the US border remains BEING HELD
• McGuire Creek Fire 9km NW of Grasmere continues to be monitored

OTHER IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

🚫There is a full Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Ban in effect for the entire East Kootenay. The operation of any off-road vehicle (such as quads, dirtbikes, ATVs and side by sides) for recreational purposes on Crown land is prohibited.
• To report an ORV violation call the RAPP line at: 1 877 952-7277

🚫There is also a full campfire ban in effect in the region.
• NO wood based campfires are allowed.
• While ULC/CSA propane fire pits are permitted at this time, the flame height must be 15cm or less.
• To report illegal burning including wood campfires call *5555 on a cell phone or 1 800 663-5555 or use the BC Wildfire app and choose Report a Fire.

Details on these prohibitions and the latest wildfire information can be found on www.bcwildfire.ca