Rain helps B.C. wildfire fighting effort as some evacuation orders lift, campfire bans end

Rain and cooler temperatures have helped alleviate some pressure on B.C. wildfire crews.

B.C. Emergency Preparedness and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma said Tuesday that the weather is “offering much-needed relief” and has reduced fire behaviour in some areas.

However, officials are urging people to be cautious, noting the summer is not yet over and that conditions can rapidly change.

“In terms of the long term, Environment Canada right now continues to forecast … that we’re going to see a continued sort of hot, dry pattern as we enter into August. Right now, we’re aligning the models in British Columbia that were going to see another ridge build in by this weekend, at least for the southern part of B.C. What a ridge means is that we’re going to return to seasonal or above seasonal temperatures,” explained Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations, BC Wildfire Service.

He says little or no rain is expected in the southern part of B.C. over the next two weeks or so. “That may also push into the north,” added Chapman.

“Fortunately, we did see quite a bit of rain flow through the Northwest and Prince George fire centres over the last seven days. That has really knocked down the fire activity in the northern half of the province. We saw enough rain in the southern half of the province to give us some operating time on our challenging fires in the south. But it is summer in B.C. and summer in B.C. — in particular in August — we are very familiar with seeing that hot, dry weather come and stay. That’s what we’re really preparing for.”

With the recent rainfall, campfire bans are being rescinded in some parts of the province.

As of noon Thursday, Aug. 1, campfires will once again be allowed in the Prince George and Northwest fire centres.

“Fire danger is constantly measured and campfire prohibitions may return in either region if conditions change,” the BC Wildfire Service explained Tuesday.

The Category 2 and Category 3 open fire bans remain in those regions.

The improved conditions have also allowed governments to downgrade some evacuation orders and lift some alerts.

According to Ma, the majority of evacuation orders are now concentrated in the Central Kootenay region.

The wildfire service says there are about 350 active fires across B.C., down from more than 400 last week, however nearly half of those remain out of control.

The service is also reporting that about 90 per cent of the active blazes were started by the lightning storms that swept over parts of the province in the last few weeks.

The number of personnel fighting the fires has also grown substantially in the last two weeks to just over 1,500 people.

-With files from The Canadian Press