KEREMEOS — A wildfire burning in the southwestern part of British Columbia grew to an estimated 50 hectares in size overnight, prompting an evacuation alert.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Young Creek wildfire was discovered Friday, burning close to the Cathedral Provincial Park, southwest of Keremeos.
The wildfire service says about 34 firefighters and two helicopters are battling the blaze and that the fire is out of control.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued an evacuation alert late Friday due to the Young Creek wildfire, which is believed to be human-caused.
The evacuation alert is in place for properties near the Cathedral Provincial Park, including two campgrounds.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says residents in part of the southern Interior will see temperatures reaching to mid-30s, which could support more aggressive fire activity.
Heading into Sunday and early next week, it says there is a widespread chance of thunderstorms across the northeast, central, and southern Interior, along with warmer temperatures, bringing more chances of new wildfire starts.
The wildfire service says about 80 per cent of the active fires are lightning-caused, while about 16 per cent are human-caused. The rest are undetermined.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July. 12, 2025.
The Canadian Press
