# BC Wildfire Service — user reviews > 70 indexed App Store user reviews of BC Wildfire Service by Government of British Columbia, rated 3.00/5 from 7 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bc-wildfire-service/id1477675008/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bc-wildfire-service/id1477675008.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 3 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 3 ## What do users think of BC Wildfire Service? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Lots of information - 👍 Thorough and accurate information - 👍 Great app, new features - 👍 App works great - 👍 Well done, good evolution - 👍 Great app, helpful for communities - 👍 Getting better, improved displays - 👍 Informative, easy to navigate - 👍 2024 version is way better - 👍 2024 Updates: Great, user-friendly - 👍 New Refresh is great, useful map - 👍 New update is incredible, quicker - 👍 Love the app, easy to navigate - 👍 Much improved, accessible information **Cons** - 🐛 Map not working, unusable - 🐛 Map issues, grey screen - 🐛 Unreliable, layers not loading - 🐛 Cluttered map, not easy to use - 🐛 Buggy hell, glitches - 🐛 New app sucks, useless - 🐛 Terrible, find new developer - 🐛 Horrible, do better - 🐛 Not updated adequately, inaccurate - 🐛 Unusable at times, can't see fire size - 🐛 No notification of new wildfire - 🐛 Glitchy map, can't click fires - 🐛 Old and outdated information - 🐛 Still bugs me to update app - 🐛 Latest version glitchy, freezes - 🐛 UI sucks, map resets - 🐛 App broken, can't click fire - 🐛 Slow status updates - 🐛 Bad fake app, won't update location - 🐛 Still needs work, slow to load - 🐛 Update ruined the app, laggy - 🐛 Terrible, unable to set region - 🐛 What a waste, can't save location - 🐛 New app sucks, old app better - 🐛 Poorly made app, website better - 🐛 Bad execution, half-assed - 🐛 Can't filter by fire centre - 🐛 Fire titles unclear, hard to use - 🐛 Doesn't work, map doesn't show - 🐛 New version has issues, not user friendly - 🐛 Horrible update, slow details - 🐛 Not very good, runs terribly - 🐛 Latest update glitchy, no details - 🐛 Useless app, nothing loads - 🐛 Clunky and slow, emergency planning difficult - 🐛 Virtually Useless - 🐛 Lagging and glitchy, quicker to google - 🐛 App sucks, won't open properly - 🐛 Dangerous app, not updated - 🐛 Non functional app, endless waiting - 🐛 Glitchy, bad UI, missing updates - 🐛 App sucks, hardly updated - 🐛 Unuser friendly, no list of regions - 🐛 Nearly Useless - 🐛 Notifications spamming, system settings needed - 🐛 Bad update, needs iPhone support **Commonly reported bugs** - Saved location alerts for old one - Map dots all over, zoom broken - Current location broken - Map not available in satellite mode - Layers do not load - White screen, nothing else - Smoke forecast cannot be removed - Dashboard switches between app and browser - App glitches randomly - Map makes terrain larger, print smaller - Clicking 'more details' does nothing - Cannot see fire size - No notification of new wildfire - Cannot click on fires for details - Fires from last year still present - Relays old and outdated information - Still bugs to update app - Saved location freezes, doesn't update - Alerts for fires not close to radius - App resets map when going back - Cannot click on a fire for details - Slow updating status of active fires - Cannot set for region, unable to get updates - Cannot save location or fires - Map not updating properly - Filter wildfire list by fire centre not working - Side legend on map will not close - Location pin too big - Map zooms all the way out after viewing details - Add location for notifications doesn't work - Contact form doesn't work - Whole thing is laggy and glitchy - Map doesn't show up - Cannot submit feedback - New version has many issues - App runs terribly on iOS - No longer provides detail when clicking fires - Only provides weather stations - Nothing loads - Map does not work - Redirects to non-functional app - Does not show all major roads - App won't open properly - Half of the screen goes blank - Fires near me stalls and says error - App hasn't updated information - Endless waiting for info - Could not sign up for notifications - Tweets took minutes to appear, two years old - Maps are awkward and mislabeled - Missing information for updates - Latest version doesn't respect in-app notification settings - Spamming with news and alerts - Still says there is a new version update **Most requested features** - More detailed terrain features - Version optimized for low network scenarios - Add more photos to Media tab - Return ability to select perimeter for notifications - Bring back desktop version for community planning - Name fires by area - Reinstate browser version - Add more dysfunction and corruption - Add more fighters, helicopters, machines - Make app optional, not in place of website ## Newest reviews (10 of 70) ### 2/5 — Saved location *2026-05-08* I’ve changed my saved location but I still get alerts for the old one even though I deleted it. Reinstalling the app doesn’t help either. ### 2/5 — BC Wildfire *2025-09-01* Just installed August 31, 2025 and the map when zooming in makes terrain larger and print smaller? When in satellite mode zooming in results in grey screen and says map not available? The app gives a general area of fire but not very detailed. Including more detailed terrain features with names that can be made larger when zooming in would be more useful. ### 2/5 — Cluttered Map is not easy to use *2024-08-10* iPad version. Once you tap on smoke forecast you can’t get rid of it. You have to tap Out Fires for it to go away. These tabs are in the way when you need to zoom out to read cities. It was much better before. And what’s with the Dashboard being within the app sometimes but other times it goes to a web browser? To say this is being used for safety reasons and doesn’t work is an absolute disgrace! I have to keep googling fires to see if one is near me. It’s high time you fixed it because we are in are worst part of fire season right now. ### 2/5 — Buggy hell *2024-08-10* The app had a nice visual update at some point, but now it is actually even more unusable, and will randomly glitch after using the map a bit. ### 3/5 — Every year *2024-07-27, version 2.3.0* I’m be use this for the last 3 years. As an older person who only used the News or websites for fire info I’m amazed at the tech. The Pro’s : Once a fire is posted it is very good with updates. The evacuation orders are also immediate. The notifications are pretty instant and I enable them every spring. Over all very cool. The Con’s : Many times I’ve learned of a fire in my vicinity via a locals FB post in a locals group page before it’s posted on the app even tho fire fighters/planes have been dispatched. Sometimes the delay has been several hours which is concerning. Luckily most times these delays are not fires in very close proximity to dense or semi dense populated areas. But if you live in the country as I do this is cause for some concern. - I assume that once a fire is confirmed someone is immediately entering into some system. If that’s the case why would the app not be linked to it so that people can get the fire alert instantly as it’s entered into the BC Fire system. It feels like it’s done separately causing the delay. The updates - cause & size can come in that few hours later as things are assessed. But for those in the back country or very rural areas can be alerted first thing. Over all I says it’s a fantastic tool and having lived on an evacuation line for most of last summer it was an EXCELLENT tool for updates. ### 4/5 — Helpful but would like more data *2024-07-26, version 2.3.0* This app is a huge improvement over previous wildfire maps. We really appreciate it during this hectic 2024 season. They are pretty good at updating fire boundaries on the larger perimeters in a timely manner. The smoke forecast and evacuation alerts are incredibly helpful features as well. Only comment is I would especially like to see more photos added to the Media tab on larger fires. It helps gives the public an idea of the landscape, spread and scale, as well as the conditions that crews on the ground are battling. The lack of information about some of the larger fires can be quite concerning, especially when there is nothing listed under Resources Assigned. ### 3/5 — still bugs me to update app *2024-07-25, version 2.3.0* i updated the app, it still bugs me to update it each time i open (iOS) ### 4/5 — Naramata carpenter *2024-07-25, version 2.3.0* This latest version has a glitch, I put in my saved location (Naramata) its on the list no problem. But freezes and doesnt seem to update then swooshes me back to the main screen. Okay. Then ai get an alert. Oh. Okay. Now I’m back to the home screen and I dont know what ??? We do have a fire everyone in BC is on edge. but its not close but now I got this alert, but its for somewhere not close to the radius I set Its adding to the confusion. The old app worked better for us in the rural areas ### 2/5 — BCFireMap is way better *2024-07-23, version 2.2.0* UI sucks on this. The initial info tab is too small even to display what little info is offered, then going to more info takes you away from map, so when you go back it resets the map… seriously? Map seems less detailed for active fire/evacuation/alert zones than BCFireMap. ### 1/5 — App is broken. Can’t click on a fire for details *2024-07-23, version 2.2.0* No longer usable. Clicking on a fire now just says “Identified a feature” instead of giving you details of the fire. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Map not working *2026-05-04* 1 star of 5. Opening the map shows dots all over the place. Zoom doesn't work. Current location is broken. Completely unusable!!! Still no location based alert setup. ### 1/5 — Unreliable *2025-07-15* I find this app very unreliable. Often layers do not load. I have to close and re-open hoping things will update. This morning I’m getting a white screen and nothing else. A critical app that I feel unable to rely on. ### 1/5 — 0 star rating *2024-08-10, version 2.3.0* New app sucks, how do i get old version? As a contractor with bcws this app is totally useless! ### 1/5 — Terrible Terrible *2024-08-06* If this is the best BC can do for an app that could be used for critical and/or resource information it is very very terrible! Find a new developer! ### 1/5 — Do better *2024-08-05, version 2.3.0* This is horrible ### 1/5 — Not updated adequately *2024-07-28, version 2.3.0* A fire in my area went from about 73 hectares to 14745 hectares overnight. There was not proper and timely updates. When you are relying on accurate information this is not this app. It could put people in danger and you could lose everything try to rely on it. ### 1/5 — Unusable at times *2024-07-26, version 2.3.0* While the map functions, every time I’ve tried clicking on the more details button to see the size of the fire, it does nothing. Been like that since last week. App is fully updated, so something in one of the recent updates is causing issues. Will update this review if/when they fix it. Currently it’s useless as a red dot could be a small or large fire and you simply cannot tell unless it’s categorized as a major one via the larger icon. Worked fine when using ArcGIS and even earlier this year, so it is a fairly easy fixable issue. ### 1/5 — No notification of new wildfire now *2024-07-26, version 2.3.0* Would like to be notified like before of new wildfire starts in my area PLEASE! ### 1/5 — Who is making this? *2024-07-26, version 2.3.0* No information, glitchy map, Can’t click on fires, still has fires from last year. What are you being paid for? ### 1/5 — BCWS App *2024-07-25, version 2.3.0* This app relays old and outdated information about many fires. Why have an app to relay outdated and inaccurate information?? ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Thorough and accurate *2025-09-04* Our son is a wildland firefighter with BCWS and this is one way we have of finding out about each fire situation he is in, as well as understanding the full measure of the resources that are needed for every fire. We are grateful for this app and the information shared through it! ### 5/5 — I use this all fire season! *2025-03-27* Great app. There are always new features. Personally, I love that not only can I see where the fires are around me (when planning activities) but also any evacuation alerts and orders AND fire ban levels. Thanks BCWS! ### 5/5 — Lots of Information *2024-08-21, version v2.3.8* I use this app regularly and find the details on each fire super helpful. The map always loads a little slow at first, but seems to function well after the first few seconds. ### 5/5 — Works great! *2024-08-20* Lots of information and appreciate the notifications. ### 5/5 — Well done! *2024-08-15, version 2.3.0* I rely heavily on this app and the information resources it provides. This year, my usage involved situations where I was staying in areas under Active Evacuation Alerts. I particularly appreciated the feature that allows me to record my places of interest for push notifications. I also tried the "Save an Incident" feature and found it very useful. One suggestion I have is to consider developing a version of the app optimized for low network scenarios. I often found that when I had only one bar of signal (which was common), the app's overhead made it difficult to refresh information. While this may be a challenging requirement, it presents an opportunity for improvement. Overall, well done! The ongoing evolution of the app and its services is a testament to quality public service. Thank you! ### 5/5 — Great *2024-07-27, version 2.3.0* Works great and the new update in the last year or so improved a lot of features ### 5/5 — This app hauls! *2024-07-26, version 2.3.0* I don’t understand the other reviews? This app certainly dosnt “blow”…that’s gross It works Awsome! Good info updated all the time. If you live in the city then you probably just expect everything to be spoon fed to you and are always displeased with any app or product that dosnt feed your ego! Wild fires are for real people who arnt dickheads ### 5/5 — Much improved; worked fine a year ago *2024-07-25, version 2.3.0* Ignore the 1-star reviews from a year ago. This app was far from as bad as they claim. Today though, it is much better. Includes more information. ### 5/5 — Excellent app *2024-07-25, version 2.3.0* Great app so helpful for our communities ### 5/5 — Getting better *2024-07-25, version 2.3.0* After years to improve, the BCWF app has made lots of changes and has improved displays and performance! As a resident of BC we rely on this all during the summer months. If you live in the province I highly recommend downloading --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*