Highway 1 reopens in Fraser Canyon as crews battle B.C. wildfires

Highway 1 has reopened in British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon as crews continue to battle twin wildfires. 

The province’s transportation website, Drive BC, says the stretch of highway between Boston Bar Station Road and Jackass Summit has reopened to traffic, though lane closures remain in place in both directions. 

Drive BC says the speed limit is 60 km/h and there is no stopping within the wildfire zone between Boston Bar and Lytton. 

It notes drivers should watch for signage and crews along the highway. 

Officials with the BC Wildfire Service say the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires remain classified as out of control, though recent weather conditions are providing some relief. 

They say slightly cooler temperatures and some relief from the gusting winds have helped crews mitigate the risk to area homes and local infrastructure.

That allowed fire crews to gain some ground, BC Wildfire Service operations section chief Beau Michaud said in a video update Friday. 

“Aviation resources were far more effective. We had heavy helicopters and tanker drops on both sides of the valley. Structure protection managed to secure fire that was threatening homes,” he said. 

Michaud said fire crews were able to effectively defend rail lines and other critical infrastructure during this period. 

Crews used heavy equipment to create a barrier near the fires’ edge, he added. 

The forecast suggests the more favourable conditions are expected to persist over the next two days.

However, the wind and hot weather are expected to return on Monday and Tuesday.

Roughly 16 area fire departments are tackling the pair of blazes, which are burning on both sides of the Fraser River, between Boston Bar, North Bend, and Boothroyd.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2026.