2021 British Columbia wildfires
{{Short description|Series of wildfires in 2021}}
{{Infobox wildfire
| title = 2021 British Columbia wildfires
| image = 250px
| caption = Satellite imagery showing wildfires in British Columbia producing pyrocumulonimbus clouds spawning lightning strikes.
| cost = Unknown
| fatalities = 2.1
| location = British Columbia, Canada
| date=Evacuations: 19th April 2021
| coordinates =
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| acres =
| buildings=
Unknown,
Estimated 90% of Lytton, British Columbia destroyed in Lytton Creek fire,{{cite news |last1=Nassar |first1=Hana Mae |last2=Gul |first2=Monika |last3=James |first3=Paul |title='The situation is very, very dire': 90 per cent of Lytton burned, says BC MP |url=https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/07/01/lytton-wildfire-wind-heat/ |access-date=2 July 2021 |publisher=CKWX |date=1 July 2021}} 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,{{cite web |title=Wildfire Season Summary - Province of British Columbia |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/about-bcws/wildfire-history/wildfire-season-summary |website=Government of British Columbia |access-date=25 May 2024 |quote=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.}} all of which were exacerbated by human-caused climate change.{{Cite news|date=2025-03-08|title=Abrupt, climate-induced increase in wildfires in British Columbia since the mid-2000s|work=Nature|url=https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00977-1}}
As of August 16, over 1,500 fires had been recorded according to the BC Wildfire Service.{{Cite web|title=BC Wildfire Dashboard ArcGIS Dashboards|url=https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/f0ac328d88c74d07aa2ee385abe2a41b|access-date=2021-08-17|website=governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Wildfires of Note|url=http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=811|access-date=2021-08-17|website=bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca}}{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=James|date=1 July 2021|title=TNRD expands evacuation alerts near Sparks Lake wildfire|url=https://cfjctoday.com/2021/07/01/tnrd-expands-evacuation-alerts-near-sparks-lake-wildfire/|url-status=live|publisher=CFJC-TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701201119/https://cfjctoday.com/2021/07/01/tnrd-expands-evacuation-alerts-near-sparks-lake-wildfire/ |archive-date=2021-07-01 }}{{Cite web|last=|date=1 July 2021|title=Sparks Lake fire now estimated at 200 square kilometres in size|url=https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/sparks-lake-fire-now-estimated-at-200-square-kilometres-in-size-1.24337723|url-status=live|publisher=Kamloops This Week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702024911/https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/sparks-lake-fire-now-estimated-at-200-square-kilometres-in-size-1.24337723 |archive-date=2021-07-02 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/local-news/sparks-lake-wildfire-remains-largest-in-bc-4448975|title=Sparks Lake wildfire remains largest in B.C.| date=July 14, 2021 |publisher=Kamloops This Week}}
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.{{Cite web|title=For 3rd straight day, B.C. village smashes record for highest Canadian temperature at 49.6 C|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-alberta-heat-wave-heat-dome-temperature-records-1.6084203|date=29 June 2021|author=Eva Uguen-Csenge, Bethany Lindsay|publisher=CBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630022153/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-alberta-heat-wave-heat-dome-temperature-records-1.6084203 |archive-date=2021-06-30 }}
On June 30, the town of Lytton was evacuated due to a fire that destroyed most buildings and grew to over {{convert|300|mi2|km2}}{{Cite web|last=Lindsay|first=Bethany|last2=Dickson|first2=Courtney|date=30 June 2021|title=Village of Lytton, B.C., evacuated as mayor says 'the whole town is on fire'|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-wildfires-june-30-2021-1.6085919|url-status=live|publisher=CBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630160918/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-wildfires-june-30-2021-1.6085919 |archive-date=2021-06-30 }}{{Cite web|last=Carrigg|first=David|last2=Raptis|first2=Mike|last3=Bains|first3=Camille|last4=Brown|first4=Scott|date=2 July 2021|title=B.C. Wildfires: Search underway for Lytton residents missing after village engulfed by fire|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/lytton-residents-ordered-to-evacuate-as-wildfire-takes-control-of-village|url-status=live|publisher=Vancouver Sun|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701025816/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/lytton-residents-ordered-to-evacuate-as-wildfire-takes-control-of-village |archive-date=2021-07-01 }} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/osoyoos-wildfire-july-20-1.6109437 |title=B.C. declares state of emergency as wildfires grow, forcing more evacuations |website=CBC News |date=20 July 2021 |accessdate=21 July 2021}}
Wildfires
The following is a list of fires that burned more than {{Convert|405|ha|abbr=on}}, or produced significant structural damage or casualties. More up to date information is available using this interactive map; [https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a1e7b1ecb1514974a9ca00bdbfffa3b1&mobileBreakPoint=300 BC Wildfire Service Map]
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
|+ class="nowrap"| List of fires over {{convert|400|ha |
| 2}} |
| scope="col| Name
!scope="col| Regional district !scope="col data-sort-type=number| Hectares (acres) !scope="col data-sort-type=date| Start date !scope="col| Containment status !scope="col| Notes !scope="col class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref|References}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| George Road Fire
|{{Convert|5,017|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|16}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held |Human-caused |
| scope="row"| Beatton River Fire
|{{Convert|3,400|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|28}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Buckinghorse Fire
|{{Convert|6,398|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|28}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Sparks Lake Fire
|{{Convert|89,627|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|28}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control |Largest wildfire by area burned |
| scope="row"| McKay Creek Fire
|{{Convert|44,964|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|29}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control |Suspected human-caused |
| scope="row"| Minaker Fire
|{{Convert|2,856|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|29}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Klawli Lake Fire
|{{Convert|6,231|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|30}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Lytton Creek Fire
|{{Convert|83,740|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|30}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control |Destroyed the village of Lytton; two confirmed casualties |
| scope="row"| Mckinley Lake Fire
|{{Convert|1,835|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|30}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| South of Canim Lake Fire
|{{Convert|3,049|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|30}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| SW of Deka Lake Fire
|{{Convert|650|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|30}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Young Lake Fire
|{{Convert|7,453|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||June|30}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Chilako Fire
|{{Convert|1,451|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|1}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Mount Porter Fire
|{{Convert|13,659|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|1}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Succour Lake Fire
|{{Convert|1,600|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|1}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Tentfire Creek Fire
|{{Convert|3,148|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|1}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Big Stick Lake Fire
|{{Convert|7,195|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|2}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | |
| scope="row"| Black Pine Fire
|{{Convert|16,314|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|2}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Churn Creek Protected Area Fire
|{{Convert|12,101|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|2}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Cultus Creek Fire
|{{Convert|2,665|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|2}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Cutoff Creek Fire
|{{Convert|33,418|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|2}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Hotnarko Creek Fire
|{{Convert|1,500|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|3}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Forres Mountain Fire
|{{Convert|8,700|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|4}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Purdy Lake Fire
|{{Convert|8,100|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|5}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Bunting Road Fire
|{{Convert|5,204|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|7}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | |
| scope="row"| Chief Louie Lake Fire
|{{Convert|20,750|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|7}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Momich Lake Fire
|{{Convert|17,049|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|7}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | |
| scope="row"| Flat Lake Fire
|{{Convert|74,194|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|8}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Akokli Creek Fire
|{{Convert|3,636|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|9}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Embleton Mountain Fire
|{{Convert|991|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|9}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | |
| scope="row"| Hunakwa Lake Fire
|{{Convert|3,601|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|9}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Mowhokam Creek Fire
|{{Convert|5,097|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|9}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Trozzo Creek Fire
|{{Convert|5,992|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|9}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Bill Nye Mountain Fire
|{{Convert|2,990|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|10}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Crazy Creek Gorge FSR Fire
|{{Convert|4,389|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|10}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Grizzly Lake Fire
|{{Convert|4,891|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|10}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Michaud Creek Fire
|{{Convert|14,032|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|10}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Thomas Creek Fire
|{{Convert|10,597|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|11}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | |
| scope="row"| Three Valley Lake Fire
|{{Convert|498|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|11}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | |
| scope="row"| Tremont Creek Fire
|{{Convert|62,524|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|12}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | |
| scope="row"| Chasm Fire
|{{Convert|454|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|13}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| July Mountain Fire
|{{Convert|19,080|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|13}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused; merged with Brook Creek Fire |
| scope="row"| White Rock Lake Fire
|{{Convert|81,483|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|13}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused. Destroyed the village of Monte Lake; part of the city of Kamloops placed under evacuation order, firefighter injured after falling several meters. |{{Cite web|title=Wildfires of Note White Rock Lake K61884|url=http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=855|url-status=live|publisher=Government of British Columbia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718093130/http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=855 |archive-date=2021-07-18 }}{{Cite web|title=Firefighter injured after fall on White Rock Lake fire site|url=https://cfjctoday.com/2021/08/26/firefighter-injured-after-fall-on-white-rock-lake-fire-site/|publisher=CFGC Today}} |
| scope="row"| Brenda Creek Fire
|{{Convert|824|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|14}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control | |
| scope="row"| Octopus Creek Fire
|{{Convert|22,049|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|14}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | Lightning-caused |
| scope="row"| Nk'Mip Creek Fire
|{{Convert|19,335|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|19}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | |
| scope="row"| Two Mile Road Fire
|{{Convert|2,455|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|20}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | |
| scope="row"| Garrison Lake Fire
|{{Convert|14,564|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||July|23}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | |
| scope="row"| Pine River Fire
|{{Convert|2,542|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||August|13}} |style="background: #FFFF00; color: black;"| Being held | |
| scope="row"| Mt Law Fire
|{{Convert|976|ha|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | {{Date table sorting||August|15}} |style="background:#00FF00; color:black;"| Under control |Suspected human-caused. Parts of West Kelowna evacuated. |
References
{{reflist}}
See also
{{2021 wildfires}}
{{Wildfires in British Columbia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:British Columbia wildfires, 2021}}
Category:2020s wildfires in Canada
Category:2021 disasters in Canada