Nearly 1750 Firefighters and 158 Aircraft Battling B.C. Wildfires

Lightning Remains Top Cause, Hot, dry and windy weather expected to raise holdover fire risk this week

August 25 2026 - The BC Wildfire Service has mobilized a significant force of resources to combat the current wildfire situation across the province.

As of the latest BC Wildfire update, 1742 firefighting personnel, 158 aircraft, 257 pieces of heavy equipment, 304 structure-protection units, and 5 Incident Management Teams are assigned to active incidents.

Of the 165 currently active wildfires, the vast majority are lightning-caused.

BC Wildfire statistics show that 143 fires (87%) were started by lightning, with human causes accounting for 15 fires (9%) and 7 fires (4%) still undetermined.

This heavy lightning influence follows the weekend’s subtropical weather system that produced more than 11,000 strikes across southern British Columbia.

Looking ahead, the Provincial Situation Report warns that conditions are expected to return to hot, dry and windy this week. These conditions increase the potential for fire activity and the emergence of holdover fires, lightning-caused fires in which heat continues to smoulder undetected until hotter, drier and windier weather produces visible smoke.

The BC Wildfire Service continues to urge the public to report any wildfire immediately to 1-800-663-5555, *5555 on a cellphone, or through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.

Nearly 1750 Firefighters and 158 Aircraft Battling B.C. Wildfires