‘Humans are the centre of the emergency’: B.C. Wildfire Service says more hot, dry conditions on the way

B.C. is in for a hot and dry August, the province says, which could lead to an increase in wildfire activity.

Providing an update Wednesday, B.C.’s forestry minister, Bruce Ralston, says August tends to be the most active month for wildfires in the province, and second most active for lightning strikes, after July.

“Our experts at the BC Wildfire Service will be monitoring closely for potential lightning in the forecast. And I want to thank all British Columbians who are doing their part to prevent human-caused fires and reduce wildfire risks.

“This month also represents the fourth consecutive month of elevated wildfire activity and an aggressive start to the wildfire season. And surge fires in the spring has meant steady work for wildfire crews and support personnel since May,” he said.

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Ralston notes as of Wednesday, there are currently 361 active wildfires across the province, which have burned a record amount of about 1.5 million hectares.

While the wildfires of note in the Northwest, Prince George, and Caribou fire centres have been downgraded due to more favourable conditions, Ralston says fire crews are shifting gears and are working “around the clock” on more southern fires, including the Eagle Bluff fire near Osoyoos, the Downtown Lake fire near Gold Bridge, and the Lower East Adams wildfire near Chase.

“We are prepared and have the necessary resources in place. There are over 800 wildfire personnel from our country and 200 members of the armed forces supporting the local wildfire effort. This international support augments the more than 2,000 BC Wildfire staff and 1,500 contract personnel already responding to the situation here,” Ralston said.

Ralston notes this wildfire season has been incredibly challenging for communities, people, and firefighters.

“It’s extremely stressful living day to day with smoke, or near a fire, or being on an evacuation alert, order.”

“On behalf of all British Columbians, thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and emergency management teams who are working tirelessly to prepare and respond to these challenges on our behalf. And let me assure British Columbians we are working hard to ensure communities are prepared and have the supports they need,” Ralston said.

“Our number one focus is keeping people safe.”

Lifelong firefighter and Director of Wildfire Operations Cliff Chapman echoed Ralston’s comments regarding the impact this fire season has had emotionally.

“I’ve been in this organization for 21 years. I started as a firefighter as a 17-year-old kid and have worked my way through the organization to now where I am. I have never felt the heaviness that we are feeling this season with the tragic loss of two individuals in B.C. from fires,” he said.

Chapman says the department and service personnel appreciate the condolences and outpouring of support but note “the truth is heavy.”

“The loss of life is obviously tragic, and something that we haven’t experienced a great deal in B.C. over the past decade or two and it’s not something that we want to experience moving forward.”

“The truth is, is that humans are the center of an emergency,” Chapman said.

“Whether that’s the people who are impacted, or the people who are there trying to limit the impact — that being the BC Wildfire Service and all of the contractors and support staff that we have around,” he explained. “We’ve done initiatives to support resiliency, mental health, emotional health, and physical health for our first responders. But it’s not enough.”

Chapman says that while service members are “doing okay, … It is heavy. There is a lot of grief within the organization and beyond.”

Chapman’s candor comes as a young Ontario firefighter who died last week in northeastern B.C., was identified as 25-year-old Zak Muise.

Muise was the fourth Canadian wildland firefighter to die this year, and the second to die in B.C.

On July 13, 19-year-old Devyn Gale died while combating a wildfire near her hometown of Revelstoke, B.C., after she was hit by a falling tree.

–With files from the Canadian Press