Video shares snapshot of 2023 B.C. wildfire season

This year, B.C. saw some of the most destructive wildfires that left tragedy and death in many communities across the province.

The BC Wildfire Service has released a short video reflecting on how the season unfolded and how the province can move forward for next year.

Beyond the devastation to property and forests, the 11-minute piece also references the toll this wildfire season has had on the firefighters.

Todd Nessman with the wildfire service reflects on the death of six firefighters in B.C. this season.

“It was tough for everybody and I think we all struggle with going through it and grasping the reality of that situation,” he said in the video.

“Everybody is sort of up and down because, on one hand, you are proud of what you accomplished this year … but on the other hand, there were some really big losses over the season and that weighs heavily on people,” Elora Van Jarrett with the Thunderbird Crew Unit added.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, there have been just over 2,200 wildfires across the province since the season began on April 1. In that time, is says nearly three-million hectares of forest and land were scorched.

In that time, almost 25,000 square kilometres of trees, bush, and grassland have been charred, making this B.C.’s worst-ever wildfire season and easily surpassing the previous record of 13,540 square kilometres burned in 2018.

One of the most intense wildfires, which received worldwide attention, was in the West Kelowna area. Almost 200 homes were damaged in that wildfire alone, with approximately 100 homes being destroyed completely.

“We are wanting to celebrate what we accomplished but also wanting to pay respect to what was lost,” Jarrett said in the video.

–With files from Hana Mae Nassar and Charlie Carey