Fernie is part of the South East Fire Centre region.
In the past decade, there have been no fires in the immediate Fernie vicinity, and no evacuations or alerts for Fernie, including Fernie Alpine Resort. Smoke drifting in from larger fires further away and smaller fires in remote backcountry locations in the region may affect air quality on a few days each year.
Check here regularly during the summer months for updates on:
- Air conditions relating to smoke from provincial forest fires
- Travel updates and alerts
- Campfire/fire restrictions for the South East Fire Centre
- Backcountry access & trail restrictions relating to wildfires
- Wildfire activity in the region
Fernie Sky Watch - Summer 2026
A random selection of Fernie's sky and visibility from summer 2026.
9:30 am on September 24, 2026 looking west towards the Lizard Range from Hwy #3 and 13th St.
Looking west towards the Lizard Range from the Elk River. Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Mt. Hosmer under a beautiful sky. 4 pm, Friday, September 4, 2026.
August 21, 2026 at 8:20 am looking southwest at the Lizard Range from the Elk River.
August 11, 2026 at 5:10pm looking North
Fernie sky on August 2, 2026 at 10:00am looking South
July 29, 2026 at 10 am looking W
July 26, 2026 at 3:15 pm looking NW
July 16, 2026 at 8:50 am looking NW
June 18, 2026 looking SW.
What to do if you see signs of a new wildfire? Call!
To report a fire or smoke plume, call *5555 or 1-800-663-5555
Tracking smoke and prevailing winds.
Current, live map tracking smoke over a forecasted period - FireSmoke.ca
What is the current air quality like around Fernie?
Due to the proximity of any BC, AB or USA wildfires and the prevailing winds Fernie can experience a smoky sky. There are three unique websites providing air quality monitoring data. Air quality can easily change within a single day.
For additional local 'on-the-ground' information please call the Fernie Visitor Centre (open daily 9am - 5pm in summer) at 778-519-0748.
Additional Important Links
- BC Map showing locations of wildfires - Fernie is in the South East region close to the Alberta & USA border.
- Regional wildfires and alerts - Regional District of East Kootenay main website
- BC campfires & fireworks ban information
- Local real time webcams
- Drive BC - BC Highway & Road Reports - Fernie is located on Highway 3
- Provincial Emergency Info - Current Evacuation Orders & Alerts
- Alberta Wildfires
- In case of emergency
Local radio stations
- The Drive/Rewind Radio 102.9 FM (Fernie/Cranbrook)
- B104/The Wild 104.7 FM (Fernie/Cranbrook)
- Summit/2DayFM 107.9 FM (Cranbrook)
- CBC Radio 97.7 FM (Kelowna)
Past Summer Conditions
The previous decade saw no forest wildfire activity in our immediate area. Fernie can experience periodic smoky skies, primarily between late July and early September due to winds pushing smoke in from wildfires far away.
In BC, local community and regional governments lead the initial response to emergencies in communities.
How to Prepare in Case of Wildfire
Wildfire Preparedness - What To Do. In BC, local community and regional governments lead the initial response to emergencies in communities.
The size of BC compared to Europe!
Did You Know?
Putting BC's Size Into Perspective
A wildfire in one small part of BC, doesn't mean fires effect other parts of BC. Helping travellers understand travel is welcome to BC and why local conditions matter:
- The United Kingdom fits inside British Columbia nearly four times.
- BC is approximately 2.6 times larger than Germany.
- BC is larger than Washington, Oregon, and California combined.
- BC is larger than France and Germany combined.
- BC is roughly half the size of Mexico.
- All four Atlantic provinces combined fit inside British Columbia, with room to spare.