Hot, dry conditions making things tough for crews battling BC wildfires
Posted July 14, 2014 10:46 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – High temperatures and dry, windy conditions are complicating firefighters’ efforts as they battle a growing number of fires in BC.
Crews are on high alert as the wildfire risk climbs. The fire danger rating is currently high to extreme across the province.
“When we get into these longer stretches of really high fire danger ratings and with record-breaking temperatures, it’s really prime conditions for a wildfire to start,” says Melissa Klassen with the Wildfire Management Branch.
Klassen says this summer, people need to make sure their campfires remain small. And when you put it out, make sure there is no smoke and it’s cool to the touch.
“The conditions, how they are right now and how dry everything is, we really need the public to be vigilant with their fire use. It is completely unacceptable for any human-caused wildfires to start.”
A campfire ban is coming into effect in the Cariboo Fire Centre west of the Fraser River starting noon on Wednesday.
Crews are currently battling 63 wildfires across BC.
Keep in mind, there is also an air quality advisory in effect for the eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, thanks to the hot, dry weather. We’re being told to avoid strenuous activity in the mid-afternoon, when ozone levels are highest.
