The Island Lake wildfire, seen from the eastern section of Francois Lake Road, about half a kilometre west of Stellako Lodge. Many spectators came out to view the scene. (Submitted by David Luggi)
Social Sharing
Across British Columbia, hundreds of fires have been burning all week, with some of the largest blazes being several times bigger than Vancouver.
A province-wide state of emergency was declared on Wednesday, with more than 20,000 people affected by on-going evacuation alerts and orders.
So far, 2018 is already the fourth worst wildfire season on record.
Here are some scenes that residents across B.C. are witnessing:
The Island Lake fire on Aug. 8, near Stellako Lodge. The fire was estimated on Friday to cover 7,000 hectares. (Submitted by Raine Lugia)
Island Lake fire seen from a B.C. resident's cabin on Aug. 7. The fire has continued to spread and the area is under evacuation order. (John Calogheros)
A helicopter flies above Island Lake Wildfire. The federal government sent additional aircraft and 200 troops to help fight the fires this week, alongside B.C. and international crews. (Submitted by David Luggi)
The Island Lake fire in central B.C. has been burning for more than a week and is one of more than 560 fires in the province. (Tracy Calogheros)
A helicopter surveys the fire complex around Francois Lake. Some British Columbians, like Bill Miller, the regional district board chair for the B.C. Interior's Bulkley-Nechako region, have asked why additional help wasn't sent sooner. (Submitted by Tracy Calogheros)
Smoke and ash darkened the skies across the province. In some areas, like Prince George, street lights had to stay on until past 9 a.m. (Submitted by Michael Slark)
The Island Lake fire burned all week and, as of Friday, is still not contained. (Submitted by Tracy Calogheros)
The skyline of trees, contrasted against the smoky skies, about 30 kilometres south of Vanderhoof on Aug. 13. (Submitted by Lana Evenson)
Looking across the highway towards the Fraser Lake Arena. Behind the arena, wildfire crews have set up camp at the local soccer and baseball fields. (Submitted Nicky Ray )
The view of the flame-painted skies, looking south across Tchesinkut Lake. (Submitted by Barry Elliott)
Smoke billowing from the Francois Lake fire on Aug. 7. An evacuation order for the area has since been issued. (Submitted by Kristy Hirt)
The Shovel Lake fire was the largest in the province on Aug. 13 — the same day an evacuation order was issued for the area. As of Friday, it encompassed an area nearly seven times larger than Vancouver. (Submitted by Brian Robinson)
Smoke blows over from the north shore of Fraser Lake at about 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 13. (Submitted by Michelle Baker Lapointe)
A passerby looks at the flames from the Island Lake fire. (Submitted by Valerie Louis)
A morning sunrise in Mud River, B.C., on Aug. 14. Air quality advisories were issued in many areas across the province this week because of all the smoke in the air. (Submitted by Dana Evaschuk)
