French Bar Creek wildfire pictured on July 17, 2026. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Elora McCormack

Wildfire Watch

French Bar Creek wildfire grows past 11,000 hectares, prompting expanded evacuation measures

Jul 18, 2026 | 1:38 PM

LILLOOET, B.C. — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has expanded its Evacuation Order and Alert in response to the rapidly growing French Bar Creek wildfire.

The order has expanded to include two addressed properties along Empire Valley Road and one unaddressed property in Electoral Area “E” (Bonaparte Plateau).

“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.

The expanded alert area encompasses a large, isolated area of Electoral Area “E,” west of the Fraser River and north and west of French Bar Creek Park, including the Churn Creek Protected Area.

“This Evacuation Alert is in place to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an Evacuation Order; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions,” said the TNRD.

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The French Bar Creek wildfire has also prompted the closure of the Schraeder Lake Recreation Site.

The fire has grown to 11,248.1 hectares, or about 112.5 square kilometres, since it was first discovered on July 4.

The BC Wildfire Service said strong winds and high temperatures are behind the fire’s rapid growth.

“There was significant wind-driven growth throughout the afternoon once smoke cleared, temperatures increased to 30 degrees and relative humidity dropped to 18 per cent,” said the BCWS.

“Winds from the southeast reached 36 kilometres per hour and gusted up to 58 kilometres per hour causing substantial ember-cast growth to the northwest and southwest and crossing the Lone Cabin Creek.”

The BCWS has 27 firefighters, 10 helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment responding to the fire.

This comes as other Evacuation Orders and Alerts are in place in the south Cariboo region.

You can see more details on the French Bar Creek wildfire Evacuation Alerts and Orders here.

by Elora McCormack

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French Bar Creek wildfire grows past 11,000 hectares, prompting expanded evacuation measures

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