Here’s the latest on major wildfires across B.C.

The southern half of the province will continue to see extreme fire behaviour in the foreseeable future, says Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations for BC Wildfire Service.

“Over the last 48 hours we have seen some of the worst conditions that this province has ever faced as it pertains to wildfires on the land base,” Chapman said in an update Saturday afternoon.

As part of the update, Chapman summarized the status of the major wildfires currently burning across the province.

Adams Lake Complex wildfire

On the southern shores of Shuswap Lake, the Adams Lake Complex wildfire has merged from two fires into one. The Lower East Adams Lake and Bush Creek wildfires continued to grow Friday evening, moving towards the northern end of the Shuswap, Highway 1, Sorrento and Chase, Chapman said. Multiple communities in those areas have either been ordered to evacuate or put on alert.

“This fire made a run yesterday in under 12 hours of over 20 kilometers,” Chapman said. “That is a significant fire run for this province and it was extremely challenging conditions to try to get people out, and I’m thankful that we were able to do that.”

McDougall Creek wildfire

As of this morning, Chapman said he’s pleased to report there were no overnight structural losses from the McDougall Creek fire, despite crews having to deal with winds throughout the night.

The fire now covers an estimated 10,500 hectares, after growing by more than six times Thursday through Friday.

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Kookipi Creek wildfire

There was no significant growth on this fire yesterday, Chapman said. However, he said the fire has the potential to grow to the north Saturday and crews are in place to deal with this movement.

“The conditions are extremely challenging in that canyon and people who know that valley know that the winds are usually quite a bit stronger there than anywhere else in BC,” Chapman said.

For now, the highway remains closed. Chapman says BC Wildfire Service is working with rail companies to allow intermittent traffic in an attempt to keep the supply chain moving.

Bendor Range Complex wildfire

Comprised of three fires just north of the Kookipi Creek wildfire, the Bendor Range Complex wildfire is expected to continue showing extreme behaviour, Chapman says.

Chapman noted the Downton Lake fire, near the upper lake, had potentially doubled in size by Saturday afternoon.

“I think the positive on this fire, as well as the Stein Mountain fire, is that up until this point we have somewhat been able to manage keeping it out of the Fraser Valley or the Fraser Canyon,” Chapman said.

Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire

This fire is estimated just under 1,100 hectares, Chapman said. It’s located close to Okanagan Falls and Oliver.

Chapman said crews are seeing some success working with heavy equipment and guards to try and box this fire in.

Crater Creek wildfire

There was significant fire behaviour to the south on this fire Friday afternoon and evening, Chapman said. The fire, situated close to the Canada-U.S. border, has since pushed into the United States.

“We’re working with our counterparts in the US to ensure that we have a coordinated response to both the Canadian side and the US side of this very large fire,” Chapman said.

Estimated at 37,000 hectares, Chapman said crews are anticipating continuous growth in this fire.