Largest B.C. wildfires likely to burn ‘right up until the snow falls’: province

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — With no relief forecast for the dry, windy, hot conditions in British Columbia, the province says the massive and persistent fires in the south and central Interior will likely continue to burn until snow falls.

Amid an ongoing state of emergency, at the height of another heatwave — officials provided an update Thursday. 656,000 hectares have already been scorched in 2021, about half the total area that burned in 2017’s record-breaking season.

Rick Manwaring, deputy minister of forests, says the weather is the key factor frustrating efforts to contain some of the worst fires.

“To be honest, some of these larger fires in the south-central Interior — we’re going to be fighting these right up until the snow falls even though it will get cooler. It’s because it is so dry, and the winds continue to be challenging in these conditions with no precipitation,” he said.

Fire personnel usually take advantage of cooler temperatures at night to put in guards and take advantage of the decreased blaze behaviour, he said. But this year, they haven’t had much of a dip in temperatures or an increase in humidity to help them, especially in the south-central part of the province, he noted.

“We’re seeing continued fire behaviour overnight and it really limits our ability to make progress in the evening periods outside of the burning cycle.”

There are 264 fires burning, with 30 “of note,” meaning they are highly visible and potentially a threat to safety.The White Rock Lake fire remains an urgent priority, and has already consumed 58,000 hectares between Vernon and Kamloops.

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Fifty-five evacuation orders remain in effect, impacting more than 4,600 properties. Katrine Conroy, minister of forests, reiterated the call for people to follow evacuation orders as soon as they come down, while saying she understands how difficult it is for people to leave everything behind.

“On more than one occasion, crews have had to divert their attention from fighting fires to save individuals that had have refused to abide by an evacuation order,” she said.

“I understand the desire to stay, and I empathize with people in this area, who want to protect their homes and property. I also live on a ranch with cattle and other animals and I appreciate that it might seem like staying behind and trying to protect what’s yours and what you’ve worked for years to create is the right thing to do.”

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Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth also acknowledged the impact in the hardest-hit region, and thanked everyone involved in efforts to fight the fires, also noting it’s expected to be quite some time before there is any reprieve.

“People in Kamloops and communities across the central interior have no doubt faced a very challenging summer battling wildfires that threaten homes neighbourhoods and communities, facing evacuation alerts, and in some cases orders and all while living under hot and smoky conditions,” he said.

“I’ve been honoured to witness the passion and resolve of the crews and the staff of the BC Wildfire Service. This is more than a job for these men and women, the challenges and responsibilities that they are tasked with are immense and they are working through yet another long season.”

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With files from the Canadian Press