BC Wildfire Service calling in backup from other parts of Canada
Posted August 3, 2018 12:16 pm.
Last Updated August 3, 2018 4:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With more than 450 fires now burning across the province, the BC Wildfire Service is reaching out for support from other provinces, and outside of Canada for help.
More than 180 firefighters and support staff are coming in from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Quebec, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico — arriving in BC over the next week.
“Hundreds of new fires have started over the last few days, mainly as a result of a fairly significant lightning system that we’ve been really exposed to right across the province for most of this week,” says Chief Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek.
He says many more fires are expected to be sparked over the weekend. He adds some support crews are already here from Alberta, but more will likely be needed.
“Obviously, within Canada, Ontario right now is also quite busy, so we’re going to have to be working to secure those resources — potentially not only from in Canada, but also looking to some international partners, as well,” he explains.
“[We are] definitely looking to bring in some additional capacity, given just the sheer number of fires we’re dealing with right now — and of course, the fact we’re not seeing a whole lot of reprieve of weather on the horizon. We expect another few stormy days and then, next week, for things to return to some fairly seasonal hot and dry conditions.”
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Skrepnek says the fact that most of the fires are being sparked by lightning is making it challenging for crews to keep up.
“They’re pretty indiscriminant, in terms of where they are burning. So, in a lot of cases, access to these fires… has been a big issue for the crews,” he explains.
“It can be quite difficult for us to get in there and actually get them contained,” he adds, noting the unpredictable, stormy weather has also made things tough for crews.
A campfire ban is now in effect pretty much everywhere, except the Prince George region.
He says with more people heading to the Interior this weekend, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword.
“The more people out there, there’s a bit more potential for things to go awry, if people are being irresponsible. But at the same time, there’s more people in the backcountry to report those fires, as well.”
A couple of large fires burning near the U.S. border between Princeton and Osoyoos have also prompted road closures. The combined Placer Mountain wildfire is 2,300 hectares and about 50 per cent contained.
Check Drive BC for updates before heading to the southeastern part of the province.
– With files from Hana Mae Nassar and Sonia Aslam
