BC Wildfire crews mop up as more blazes held

As of Tuesday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says over 85 per cent of fires are now classified as either “being held” or “under control.”

With 216 wildfires active across the province, only three new starts were reported in the last 24 hours. Ninety-four of the fires are listed as held while 92 are under control, according to the BCWS dashboard.

Despite these classifications, the work is not over for the many fire crews on the frontlines. The service says many are now in the “mop up and patrol stages” of response.

“This entails crews methodically inspecting the burned area and extinguishing any remaining hot spots,” the BC Wildfire Service said on X.

“No matter the size of a wildfire, every stage of response is important. Thorough mop up and patrol ensures the safety of crews and communities and enhances recovery efforts.”

While cooler weather has brought a welcome reprieve to many parts of the province, the BC Wildfire Service says temperatures are expected to be several degrees above seasonal for much of the province this week.

There is also the possibility of thundershowers and showers across Northwest B.C., it adds.

“In the last 24 hours, lightning activity was observed across portions of the Prince George, Southeast, and Kamloops Fire Centres. There is a risk of lightning in the Prince George Fire Centre overnight, but it is forecasted to be accompanied by showers. Warm and dry conditions will continue to impact our forest fuels, leaving our finer fuels susceptible to ignition and new starts,” the Provincial Situation Report from Sept. 3 reads.

“Smokey conditions can be expected in portions of the Northwest Fire Centre due to the continued activity of the Ootsa Lake Complex Fires, Sabina Lake, Michel Creek, and R12015.”

While campfire bans have been lifted in most parts of B.C., people are still being urged to take extra care while outdoors to reduce fire risk.