The French Bar Creek Wildfire pictured on July 19, 2026. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Elora McCormack

Wildfire Watch

Evacuation order expands near French Bar Creek wildfire

Jul 23, 2026 | 3:46 PM

CLINTON, B.C. — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is expanding its evacuation order in response to the French Bar Creek wildfire, which continues to spread out of control.

The TNRD said the expanded evacuation order is now in place for two addressed and two unaddressed properties in Electoral Area “E” (Bonaparte Plateau). The expanded area now includes the Black Dome Mine, and all areas as outlined on this map.

“If you are in the described area, you must leave immediately. A person must not enter the Evacuation Order area for purposes of residing, occupying, or visiting the area,” said the TNRD.

An evacuation alert has also been amended to cover a large, remote area with no addressed properties, as outlined here.

The BC Wildfire Service is battling the blaze with an Incident Management Team, 32 firefighting personnel, 13 helicopters, 57 pieces of heavy equipment and 77 structure protection resources. Firefighting resources are being shared between the French Bar Creek wildfire, Fiftynine Creek wildfire and Pear Lake wildfire, also known as the Big Bar Complex.

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The BCWS said the fires have been challenging because of the weather and terrain.

“Fuels remain heavily impacted by drought throughout the area and are highly susceptible to increased fire behaviour with high temperatures and lower relative humidity,” said the BCWS.

“The fire is burning upslope in steep and rocky terrain. The fuels are a mix of grassland in areas near the Fraser River and timber in upslope and plateau areas. The terrain, availability of water and access to the fire are posing challenges for responders. Should fire activity and behavior be deemed too unsafe for our crews, crews will be pulled from the fire line and redeployed only when conditions are safe.”

by Elora McCormack

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Evacuation order expands near French Bar Creek wildfire

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