South African firefighters leave interior, weekend weather sees increased fire activity: BCWS

Hundreds of South African firefighters are preparing to leave B.C. after spending two weeks helping tackle blazes within the province.

BC Wildfire Service posted a video on X this morning, showing the 215 firefighters gifting local crews and staff members a song and dance ceremony.

British Columbia has been grateful to host 215 South African firefighters over the past two weeks. This morning, as they prepared to depart for days of rest, they gifted local crews and staff members with a moving ceremony of song and dance to uplift spirits. pic.twitter.com/btkHDEqxxH

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 9, 2023

“We are lucky to have them and their infectious energy,” the service said in its post.

The South African team, from public works program Working on Fire, was deployed to support efforts being made on the Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap region and the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna.

After some rest, the crew of South African first responders will head north to the Vanderhoof and Fort St. James regions of B.C. to continue supporting the province’s firefighting efforts.

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Weekend weather contributes to increased fire activity

Despite this lively crew taking their leave of the region, BC Wildfire Service reported Saturday afternoon that the McDougall Creek and Upper Park Rill Creek wildfires near Kelowna, are both currently displaying increased activity.

“If you see smoke coming from well within the fire perimeter and the area is surrounded by black, burned material, this is typically not a concern,” BC Wildfire Services stated. “However, smoke rising from green, unburned fuel or from outside a fire’s perimeter should be reported immediately.”

BC Wildfire Services says smoke in the area will likely be highly visible to nearby communities for the time being.

Increased temperatures and reduced relative humidities are both contributing to an increase in fire activity this weekend.

There are currently 185 wildfires burning out of control in the province, 14 of which are fires of note. Eight new fires have sparked in the last 24 hours, adding to the total of 2,109 fires that have burned, or continue to burn, across B.C. this year.