Smoke from U.S. wildfires blowing into B.C.

Friday night’s hazy sunset in B.C. can be blamed on smoke from wildfires in the U.S. blowing into the province.

The BC Wildfire Service says smoke from fires in Idaho and Washington is moving into the southern part of the province, including the Southeast and Coastal fire centres.

Three large fires are currently burning in Washington state, between Seattle and Spokane, and the smoke is expected to continue for the next few days.

The Heather Lake fire continues to grow, and is now an estimated 1,500 hectares in size, and located along the Canada-U.S. border.

“The fire is exhibiting aggressive fire behaviour and is highly visible from Highway 3. At this time no structures or Highway 3 are immediately threatened,” said a BC Wildfire Service statement.

The Wildfire Service adds that as of now, the fire is classified as “out of control.”

B.C.’s forests minister said this week the number of wildfires this season is below the 20-year average for the province at this time of year.

But Katrine Conroy added people should remain alert to the threat of fires as conditions are forecast to remain warm and dry throughout September.

“B.C. is currently experiencing one of the lowest human-caused wildfire seasons since 1950,” said Conroy. “We’re asking all British Columbians to continue the great work they have been doing this season as we stay vigilant over the Labour Day weekend and for the remainder of the 2022 fire season.”

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It’s been a quiet fire season compared to some of the ones that have brought on serious challenges in recent years in B.C.

But with Pacific Ocean temperatures three to five degrees Celsius above seasonal norms, that means September could be a warmer month than usual.

If it’s a dry and windy month, that could pose problems, explains Neal McLoughlin with the BC Wildfire Service.

“That’s one of the key things that has been keeping our fire sizes smaller this year, it’s that winds have been generally light and stable,” McLoughlin said.

“As we transition into more fall patterns, there is the possibility for stronger winds, so that’s something that we’ll want to watch out for.”

Up to 75 per cent of fires in the province this year have been caused by lightning.

Updates to B.C. wildfires can be found on the Wildfire Service dashboard.

With files from The Canadian Press, Martin MacMahon