British Columbia

Pemberton Music festival will not be cancelled despite B.C. fires

Wildfires still rage near Pemberton, B.C. but so far the music festival officials says the danger and air quality is stable and safe enough for the show to go on.

Officials are monitoring danger as roughly 30,000 campers prepare to arrive

Pemberton Music Festival organizers say the festival will not be cancelled despite local wildfires. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Wildfires are still raging near Pemberton, B.C. but music festival officials say the danger and air quality is stable and safe enough for the show to go on — for now.

"At this time there is no reason for us to contemplate the cancellation of the Pemberton Music Festival," said Jack Crompton, chair of the Squamish-Lillooet regional district. 

Local officials from the town and First Nations met to discuss the risks of adding 30,000 festival-goers to the region who might have to be potentially evacuated if the conditions got worse. The festival is scheduled to take place from July 16 to 19.

The Boulder Creek fire north of Pemberton, B.C., is 5,000 hectares in size and growing. (B.C. Wildfire Management Branch)

But municipal and fire safety officials warn that the conditions are dynamic and can still change with large fires still burning nearby.

Festival organizers Huka Entertainment have agreed to provide daily updates on the Pemberton Music Festival website

"Safety remains our top priority," said Village of Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman. "The situation is being monitored and evaluated daily."