Pemberton Wildfire Contained, Smoke Still Looms Over the Village

On Thursday afternoon, officials with the BC Wildfire Service confirmed that the wildfire scorching the slopes of Signal Hill, just north of Pemberton, is now being held. In plain language, that means the flames have stopped spreading and crews have gotten a foothold on the fire’s edge.

“The fire is currently under control and we’re no longer seeing active growth,” said BCWS spokesperson Melanie Harper. “Our focus now shifts to monitoring hotspots and protecting the air quality for nearby communities.”

Even though the fire itself has been tamed, the story isn’t over for locals. A thick, amber‑colored plume that rose over the forest on Tuesday is expected to drift southward, blanketing the Pemberton valley with smoke by early evening.

Residents have been urged to keep windows closed, limit outdoor activities, and watch local air‑quality advisories. The BC Ministry of Health has already issued a yellow‑level warning, which is a heads‑up that people with respiratory conditions should take extra precautions.

Fire crews remain on the ground, patrolling the perimeter and dousing smoldering patches that could reignite if winds pick up. So far, no evacuations have been ordered and there have been no reports of injuries.

Local businesses, already bruised from last year’s mountain fires, are keeping an eye on the situation. “We’re hopeful the smoke lifts quickly,” said Jenna McLeod, owner of a café on Main Street. “If it hangs around, we’ll have to adjust our hours and maybe push some of our outdoor seating indoors.”

The fire, which first ignited on Monday, is believed to have started from a stray campfire that got out of control. Investigators are still working to confirm the exact cause.

For now, the message from authorities is clear: the fire itself is being held, but the smoke is on its way. Keep an eye on updates from BCWS and local health officials, and take sensible steps to protect your lungs.