A wildfire has led to evacuation alerts and closures for the popular Bugaboo Provincial Park in B.C.’s East Kootenay region on Sunday.
An evacuation alert was issued late Saturday night for three civic addresses and multiple areas adjacent to the park, including the Bugaboo Falls and Bugaboo Septet recreation sites and CMHÂ Lodge, by the Regional District of East Kootenay.
The core areas of Bugaboo Provincial Park were already closed due to flooding damage a little under two weeks ago, after nearly 60 campers and hikers had to be evacuated via helicopter.
Now, B.C. Parks says on its website that the nearby Silver Basin wildfire is growing quickly, and the agency anticipates closures of more sections of the park as a result.
A wildfire just southeast of Bugaboo Provincial Park in eastern B.C. is seen on Aug. 29, 2025. Officials said Sunday morning it is not currently threatening any structures. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
“This will lead to closures of Bugaboo Provincial Park and other areas,” the agency said. “Please do not visit the area at this time.”
The Silver Basin wildfire is burning just southeast of the park, which has historically been popular for its rugged climbs and landscapes, and the B.C. Wildfire Service says as of Sunday morning it is not currently threatening any structures.
An evacuation alert means that people in the area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, while an evacuation order means people should leave immediately.
Area around fire restricted
The Silver Basin fire is estimated at around 150 hectares in size, and is suspected to have been sparked by lightning. It is burning at an elevation of 2,000 metres, according to B.C. Wildfire Service.
Fire information officer Meghan Graceffo told CBC News that the service had imposed an area restriction around the blaze, which is a legal order that bans public access in order to protect the firefighting.
“We ask that people stay out because when people go into area restrictions, it takes resources away from our firefighting efforts,” she said.
The Silver Basin wildfire is seen near Bugaboo Provincial Park on Aug. 29, 2025. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
The officer added that there were no permanent residences in the area under evacuation alert.
Officials had warned of significant fire risk heading into the long weekend in B.C., as hot and dry conditions were set to combine with lightning strikes and potentially create new wildfires.
Graceffo said that anyone in the backcountry should be smart about fire safety, and reminded residents that campfires — if they’re allowed in the region — should be less than half a metre tall and half a metre wide.
A special air quality statement, released Sunday due to wildfire smoke, covers sections of the B.C. Interior and the northeast, including the Peace River, Fort Nelson and Chilcotin areas.
The province says that as smoke levels increase, people should limit time outdoors and keep windows closed indoors if possible.
“Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles,” the advisory reads.
On Thursday, an evacuation alert was issued for a large area near Tsetzi Lake by the Cariboo Regional District, which covers one structure, due to a nearby wildfire.