The Bear Creek wildfire near Harrison is holding steady at 124 hectares and is no longer a wildfire of note. Crews remain active, and alerts stay in place.
Firefighters Gain Upper Hand on Bear Creek Blaze
The Bear Creek wildfire, burning just north of Harrison Hot Springs, is officially off B.C.’s “wildfire of note” list. After days of tense monitoring, the blaze has calmed considerably—thanks to cooler temperatures and higher humidity.
The fire, which first made headlines earlier this week, has not grown beyond 124 hectares since Friday. By Saturday morning, firefighting teams had made enough progress to warrant its removal from the critical watchlist.
Crews Still on the Ground—And in the Air
Despite the positive update, the job isn’t done yet.
A total of 56 personnel, including two ground crews, fire officers, danger tree specialists, and a medic unit, are still working the fire. They’re getting airborne support from three bucket helicopters, focusing their efforts on the challenging south flank.
The north side remains steep and difficult, but air crews are keeping the fire well-contained south of Bear Creek.
Road Closures, Safety Alerts Remain in Effect
If you’re planning to head toward the area—think again. Several forest service roads remain closed due to fire activity and safety hazards:
Harrison East Forest Service Road is closed between the 9-km and 20-km marks. Only residents with proper clearance can pass.
Kookipi Forest Service Road in the Nahatalatch Valley is also shut down.
Expect falling rocks and unstable trees throughout the closed zones.
Recreational access to Harrison Lake is still open—just not near the fire. Campers and boaters are being asked to keep a wide berth to ensure the safety of both the public and first responders.
Evacuation Alert Still in Place
The North Cascade Bay Area remains under an evacuation alert. This means residents don’t have to leave immediately—but they should be ready to go on short notice. Meanwhile, the Bear Creek Recreation area was evacuated earlier in the week and remains off-limits.
Wildfire Season Snapshot: 7 Fires So Far
Since the start of the year, the Agassiz-Harrison region has seen seven wildfires. Bear Creek is the largest so far. Of the four fires still active:
Two are under control
One is being held
Bear Creek is still considered “out of control”, despite its stabilized size
Interestingly, four of these fires were caused by humans, while three were sparked by lightning—a reminder of how crucial fire safety remains.
Air Quality Holding Steady—for Now
As of early Saturday, the B.C. Air Quality Index listed the area at a “low-risk” level of 1. That’s expected to inch up to 3 by Sunday, but it still falls within the low-risk range.
Report Fires Fast
If you see a wildfire or any activity that could start one, don’t wait—report it immediately by calling 1-800-663-5555 or *dial 5555 from your mobile phone.
Stay Informed
For the latest updates, stay connected with The Observer. Fire season isn’t over yet—and being informed is one of the best ways to stay safe.
