Evacuation alert issued for Pemberton, B.C., due to Signal Hill wildfire
Parts of Pemberton, B.C., are under an evacuation alert due to the Signal Hill wildfire.
The Village of Pemberton issued the alert, which covers 1,377 properties, late Wednesday.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) also issued an alert at that time for all properties in Area C on Collins Road to One Mile Lake to the Lillooet River. Residents are asked to prepare for to evacuate at a moment's notice.
A map of the evacuation area issued on July 15, 2026 for parts of the Village of Pemberton and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. (Village of Pemberton/Squamish-Lillooet Regional District)
Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman said these alerts were issued to prepare those affected should the fire move toward the community.
Richman said fire crews were happy with the work they had done Thursday, but faced challenges as wind picked up into the evening.
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He said the fire was being pushed to the east, away from power lines and away from the village.
An evacuation order is also in place for One Mile Lake Park.
B.C. Hydro said a downed tree knocked out power to more than 3,000 customers in Pemberton and the surrounding communities on Thursday afternoon, though by Thursday night crews had restored electricity to about two thirds of them.
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the wildfire was discovered on Wednesday, about five kilometres from Highway 99.
It says fire grew to 0.38 square kilometres (38 hectares) by Thursday.
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The wildfire service said smoke may be highly visible. Multiple crews are responding with support from helicopters and an air tanker, according to the wildfire situation page.
Thursdays efforts involved a direct attack on the fire's north flank to protect the community, and operations were continuing overnight, it said.
"Nearby structures are not currently at risk, and defending these values remains the primary objective of assigned resources," said the BCWS in its midnight update.
A helicopter drops water while fighting the Signal Hill wildfire in Pemberton, B.C., on July 16, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
Richman said the evacuation order for One Mile Lake is because the location is an important staging area for BCWS activities.
"We don't want the public interfering with the staging area or being at risk while the activities are ongoing," Richman said.
On social media, BCWS said skimmers are working out of Green Lake, northeast of Whistler. It asked people in the area to be aware of their surroundings and give space to crews.
"If firefighting aircraft are nearby, clear the area immediately and stay near the shore to avoid interfering with operations."
The Signal Hill wildfire is suspected to be caused by humans, which is how any wildfire not sparked by lightning is categorized.
'Do we have to go?'
Area resident Sam Watson was driving home from work on Wednesday when he saw smoke billowing from the hill.
"My first thought was, how close is this going to be to town? Like, do we have to move? Do we have to go?"
The Signal Hill wildfire consumes trees on a mountainside in Pemberton, B.C., on July 16, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/CBC)
Now, he's watching, waiting and preparing for the possibility he may have to evacuate.
Watson said it was "confronting" to see the wildfire flames, not just smoke, engulfing the hill.
"Being able to watch [the wildfire] grow in real time, it was kind of scary."
He said the area is a popular hub of mountain biking and hiking trails and reminded people to be considerate when outdoors.
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The story was originally published for CBC News. With files from Lauren Vanderdeen and Alanna Kelly