UPDATE: Arrow Lakes wildfire burns 1.2 ha near

BC Wildfire Service says suppression actions underway for lightning-sparked fire near Needles

UPDATE: Arrow Lakes wildfire burns 1.2 ha near Vernon-Slocan Highway Published 9:46 am Friday, July 17, 2026 A wildfire has been burning out of control since Thursday, July 16, near the Vernon-Slocan Highway and Arrow Lakes community of Needles, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports.

The Barnes Creek fire, indicated as lightning-caused following a thunderstorm Wednesday night, July 15, had scorched an area about half the size of a football field by 4 p.m. Thursday. It’s located about 1.5 kilometres east of Highway 6 and five kilometres west of Whatshan Lake, as well as about 10 km northwest of Needles. By 9 a.m. Friday, July 17, BCWS said it had deployed a helicopter and half-dozen wildland firefighters to battle the blaze, which has since grown to 1.2 hectares — larger than a rugby pitch.

For updates on the Barnes Creek fire, visit wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map.

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