Twin wildfires in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon prompt evacuation orders, shut Highway 1
Two wildfires burning simultaneously in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon triggered evacuation orders for communities along the route and forced the closure of Highway 1, the main trans-Canada highway through the canyon, though the road reopened on July 11 as firefighters got a weather break with cooler temperatures and lighter winds; the fires are the largest to threaten the canyon since at least 2023.
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Summary
Two wildfires burning simultaneously in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon threatened communities along the route and forced a closure of Highway 1, Canada's main trans-Canada artery through the canyon. Firefighting crews got a weather break on July 11 as temperatures dropped and winds eased. The highway segment between Boston Bar Station Road and Jackass Summit reopened. The BC Wildfire Service said the fires remained active. The Fraser Canyon is a narrow, rugged corridor where road closures cut off communities on both sides and significantly disrupt commercial freight between the BC interior and the Lower Mainland.
Why it matters
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon is the primary road connection for a large part of BC's interior. A closure disrupts supply chains for communities along the route and adds pressure on alternate roads. The twin-fire scenario stretched firefighting resources across two fronts simultaneously.
What to watch
- Whether the cooler weather holds and allows crews to gain control of both fires' perimeters.
- Whether evacuation orders for communities near the fires are lifted or upgraded.
- Whether Highway 1 requires another closure if fire behavior intensifies when conditions warm again.