Very Large Fires

In 2009, a 23,182 hectare (232 square kilometres) fire at the Junction of Smith and Liard River temporarily closed the Alaska Highway and caused the evacuation of three small communities.

Lava Canyon, in the Chilcotin, saw the largest fire of the 2009 season at 66,719 hectare (667 square kilometres), and led to evacuation orders and alerts.

In Edgehills Provincial Park, 20 km southwest of Clinton, the 2009 Kelly Creek fire grew to 20,925 hectares (209 square kilometres) and resulted in evacuation orders and alerts. Two structures were lost during the blaze.

The Okanagan Mountain Park fire, during the 2003 fire season, was the most significant interface wildfire event in BC history. The fire's final size was 25,600 hectares. Much of BC was affected by the fire but the communities of Naramata and Kelowna suffered the largest effect when the blaze caused the evacuation of 33,050 people (4,050 of these people were also evacuated for a second time) and 238 homes were lost or damaged. The fire also claimed 12 wooden trestles and damaged two other steel trestles in the historic Myra Canyon.

The McLure fire in 2003 caused the devastating loss or damage of 72 homes and nine businesses. Due to this fire, 3,800 people were evacuated (880 of these people were also evacuated for a second time) from the small communities of McLure, Barriere and Louis Creek. The fire reached a final size of 26,420 hectares.

One of British Columbia's worst fires, the Salmon Arm fire occurred in 1998. It damaged over 6,000 hectares, caused the evacuation of approximately 7,000 people, destroyed 40 buildings, and cost over $10 million to extinguish.

Also known as the Garnet fire, the Penticton fire occurred in 1994. Over 5,500 hectares were burned, over 3,500 people were evacuated and 18 homes and structures were lost. The fact that the fire occurred in an interface area increased the severity of the damage.

The Eg fire occurred in 1982. 182,725 hectares burned near the Liard River/Alaska Highway area.

The Tee fire occurred in 1971. 110,419 hectares burned near the Liard River/Alaska Highway area.

The Kech fire occurred in 1958. 225,920 hectares burned in the Kechika Valley, a tributary of the Liard River.

The Wisp fire occurred in 1950. The fire burned from north of the Fort St. John area into Alberta along the Chinchaga River. Total area burned was 1,400,000 hectares. The B.C. portion was 90,000 hectares.

On June 13, 1886, fire destroyed most of Vancouver, which had only been incorporated three months earlier. A clearing fire blazed out of control and in one hour only two of the 400 original buildings were left standing. Due to the fire it was decided that replacement contruction should be of brick stone or cast iron.

On September 17, 1868, Barkerville was destroyed by fire and 116 homes were destroyed. The fire was caused by a miner trying to kiss one of the girls in a saloon. The ensuing struggle dislodged a stove pipe, setting the canvas ceiling on fire.

Large wildfires in North America include: