CANADA VIBES NEWSROOM · ÉDITION DU SOIR | EVENING EDITION
July 20, 2026 · 9:30 PM ET
The City of Kimberley, population about 9,000, was placed under an evacuation alert Monday as three out-of-control wildfires grow in steep, mountainous terrain.
The City of Kimberley in southeastern British Columbia was placed under an evacuation alert Monday as out-of-control wildfires grow west of the community of about 9,000 residents in the East Kootenay region.
The alert was triggered by the Matthew Creek wildfire, measured at roughly 567 hectares Monday, along with two separate Tower Creek fires of 250 and 30 hectares. The regional district also issued a separate alert covering 66 properties west of Kimberley.
The BC Wildfire Service says all three fires are burning in steep, mountainous terrain considered unsafe for direct ground crew access.
Hot, dry conditions with light, variable winds are expected to persist in the coming days, which could aid the fires’ spread.
Regional authorities are urging residents in the affected areas to monitor official updates, register for the evacuation notification system, and prepare essential belongings in case of a mandatory evacuation order.
What to watch
Whether the alert escalates to a mandatory evacuation order, and how weather conditions evolve in the East Kootenay region.
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