Early-season wildfire in B.C.’s Interior, near Ashcroft
Posted April 19, 2023 8:21 am.
Last Updated April 19, 2023 8:43 am.
While the weather is still grey and gloomy in most parts of the Lower Mainland, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is tackling an early-season wildfire in the Interior.
Visible from some parts of Highway 99 between Lillooet and Cache Creek, the South East Skwish Creek wildfire is burning about 43 kilometres northwest of Ashcroft.
Currently being estimated at about 20 hectares in size, the BCWS says the fire is out of control.
The #BCWildfire Service is currently responding to the South East Skwish Creek wildfire (K70060), located approximately 43 km northwest of #Ashcroft. The fire is currently estimated at 20 ha in size and classified as Out of Control. pic.twitter.com/68Pj4fpGwt
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) April 18, 2023
The firefighting service says it has ground crews tackling the fire, with air crews on their way to the area.
The Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation has also issued an evacuation order for its residents at Pavilion Reserve #1. While an order is not yet in place, the Nation is urging its members to be prepared to leave on short notice.
“Gather your grab-and-go bags and ensure your vehicle has fuel. If you leave before or during this alert, it’s called a voluntary evacuation,” the BCWS explained.
The fire comes after the BCWS released its spring wildfire outlook last week, which says that the Interior is already seeing wildfire activity due to a lack of precipitation from fall 2022 through to spring this year.
“Elevated drought conditions from fall 2022 will persist until significant and prolonged precipitation is observed,” the report noted.
“Rain over the Easter long weekend helped alleviate drought conditions in some regions, including the B.C. Coast and portions of the Kootenays. The rain shadow effect of the Coast Mountains resulted in less rainfall over the Kamloops Fire Centre and the Cariboo where elevated drought codes persist.”
