The entire city of Kimberley, British Columbia, has been placed on evacuation alert due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown to nearly six square kilometers.Over 8,000 residents have been warned to prepare for potential relocation as fire conditions remain volatile.

The Regional District of East Kootenay confirmed the emergency, noting that lightning strikes over the weekend sparked multiple fires across the province, including this one near the Alberta border.

Kimberley’s acting mayor, Sandra Roberts, emphasized that while authorities will provide advance notice where possible, rapid changes in fire behavior make predictions challenging.

The BC Wildfire Service highlighted the difficulty of direct firefighting efforts due to the fire’s location in steep, mountainous terrain and high elevation.Firefighters are establishing control lines and utilizing natural barriers like roads and trails to manage the blaze.This incident adds to a broader trend of increased wildfire activity in B.C., with 102 active fires reported statewide, prompting evacuations and alerts in areas like Boston Bar within the Fraser Canyon.

Authorities stress the importance of public safety, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the homeless, who face heightened risks from smoky air conditions.