Long weekend weather ripe for new fire starts: BCWS

Provincial officials are warning that the weekend’s conditions are ripe for more wildfire starts, despite rain and the end of some regional campfire bans.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) tells 1130 NewsRadio that temperatures began to climb Wednesday, and conditions are expected to stay hot and dry throughout the weekend and into the following week.

BCWS Information Officer Sam Bellion says British Columbians shouldn’t be fooled by a few days of precipitation.

“Even when we have had a little bit of rain, it takes quite a significant amount of rain to make a difference on our fire danger ratings, and those deeper death layers of the forest floor are still quite dry out there. So with a bit more hot, dry weather like we’re having today, those finer fuels on the surface of the forest floor are going to dry out and fire will start quickly and spread easily,” said Bellion.

Two campfire bans were rescinded in parts of the province Thursday afternoon, including the Prince George Fire Centre and Northwest Fire Centre.

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Rob Fraser says it’s welcome news for his home located in the Northwest Fire Centre.

“There’s a lot of campers — a lot of people who like to get out in the outdoors in this part of the world. That’s what attracts people here, and to have a small campfire, I think makes a lot of people feel real good about being out,” said Fraser.

He’s says the ban rescinding is a sign of hope after a long summer that started with his municipality receiving an evacuation order.

Thousands of people were forced to leave the Fort Nelson area in early May in response to the Parker Lake wildfire.

Fraser trusts that the residents of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality are knowledgeable about how to deal with fires and will make sure theirs don’t spread.

“BC wildfire service, they are the experts when it comes to that,” said Fraser.

“They feel that the weather has changed enough — it’s gotten cool enough — that it’s okay for people to have small fires. And like I said, I do believe that people will be extremely responsible in this area. “

Bellion says everyone should be aware of what fire bans are present in their area by using the BCWS app. She says the fire-reporting function has been incredibly helpful to firefighting efforts this season.

There are 329 wildfires burning in B.C. Thursday, nine of which sparked in the last 24 hours. 128 are considered “out of control.”

—With files from Srushti Gangdev and David Nadalini.