CANADA VIBES NEWSROOM · ÉDITION DU SOIR | EVENING EDITION — August 3, 2026, 4:45 p.m. ET

About 30 new fires broke out on top of the roughly 100 already active in British Columbia, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and prompting reinforcements from Alberta, Yukon and Mexico.

British Columbia had 42 evacuation orders and 40 evacuation alerts in place Monday, covering roughly 4,000 and 4,500 properties respectively, after about 30 new fires ignited within 24 hours. More than 5,000 people were forced from their homes during that span, most due to the Bradley Creek fire near Vernon, which the province’s Wildfire Service classified as “out of control” and attributed to human activity.

The largest blaze remains the Pear Lake fire near Clinton, which now covers more than 115,000 hectares. Wind gusts of up to 80 km/h are expected, which could further complicate firefighting efforts and push smoke into southern Alberta.

To support provincial crews, 25 members of Yukon’s protective services have been deployed, 66 Alberta firefighters were due to arrive the next day, and a contingent of 114 Mexican firefighters was expected on August 3. So-called “tactical” evacuations also took place in the province’s south as strong winds fanned active fire fronts.

Local authorities are urging residents to regularly check official evacuation maps and prepare a family plan in case of a sudden order, as the situation can shift quickly from one area to another.

What to watch: The evolution of the Bradley Creek fire near Vernon and the impact of the forecast strong winds on smoke spreading into Alberta.

Sources: Radio-Canada; La Presse.