The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is warning that weather conditions over the long weekend could increase the hazard of wildfires and leading to challenging conditions for those fighting them.
A cold front is forecast to move across much of British Columbia this weekend, bringing thunderstorms and strong, gusty winds. By the time this activity reaches the Southern Interior, it will come with little or no rainfall.
Due to hot and dry conditions and continued drought, fuels are increasingly susceptible, and it is likely that new lightning-caused wildfires may result.
Several of the wildfires in the Southern Interior are exhibiting aggressive fire behaviour. As the cold front moves through the Cariboo, Kamloops, and Southeast fire centre regions, stronger winds may increase fire intensity, support rapid rates of spread, and contribute to challenging conditions for firefighting efforts.
As this weather system passes, it also brings the potential for lightning-caused wildfire starts, particularly in areas receiving limited precipitation. New ignitions occurring during periods of strong wind can establish and spread quickly.
Of particular concern are smaller fires located in steep terrain where wind and slope alignment can rapidly accelerate fire growth. Fires that appear manageable can transition quickly to higher intensity behaviour under these conditions.
In preparation for the increase in wildfire activity, BCWS is strategically positioning ground personnel and aerial resources in areas of anticipated lightning activity. This will allow crew and resources to respond to new wildfires as quickly as possible.
The B.C. Day long weekend means an increase in recreational activity across the province, which raises the risk of human-caused wildfires. With firefighting resources already committed to existing fires, preventing new unwanted fires is critical. Exercise caution this weekend by:
– Following all fire prohibitions and restrictions in your area
– Avoiding activities that could generate sparks or open flames
– Ensuring that campfires (where permitted) are fully extinguished
– Being cautious with off-road vehicles and equipment operating in dry grass or forested areas
– Never discarding smoking materials on the ground or from vehicles
If you see a wildfire or smoke, please call 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 on a cellphone), or report it through the BC Wildfire Service app. Images and videos submitted through the app help operational staff make response decisions that much quicker.
There are currently 112 active wildfires in the province, 47 of which (42 per cent) are out of control. Year to date there have been 816 wildfires in the province, which have so far burned 255,326 hectares. Fifty per cent of the fires this year (404) have been caused by lighting; 390 fires (48 per cent) were human-caused. The remaining 22 fires are of undetermined origin.
For information about all the wildfires currently burning in B.C., visit the BC Wildfire Service website.
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