(Facebook/BC Wildfire Service)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Hope amid heat

Vernon dodges flames so far, but fire season’s heating up

Jul 20, 2025 | 12:00 AM

Vernon has stayed mostly clear of wildfire smoke and nearby flames so far this season even as wildfires ramp up across the country.

More than 5.5 million hectares have already burned in Canada, more than double the 10-year average, with B.C. and Alberta seeing the most fires requiring a full response.

In the North Okanagan, a handful of small wildfires have sparked nearby over the past month.

In mid-June, a fire broke out near Ireland Creek northeast of Mabel Lake, reaching about 10 hectares before crews brought it under control. Around the same time, a small fire near Hidden Lake east of Enderby was quickly contained. Another fire near Sugar Lake, about 85 kilometres from Vernon, was held shortly after it started.

As of July 20, Vernon’s skies remain clear and no local evacuation alerts have been issued. But wildfire risk is still high. The fire danger rating in Vernon and surrounding areas sits at high, meaning forest fuels are very dry and new fires could start and spread quickly.

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Hot, dry weather is expected to continue into August and fire officials say conditions remain favourable for wildfire growth.

The federal government has committed new support to improve wildfire readiness across the country.

So far Vernon has been lucky, but fire season is far from over.