There have been 292 wildfires in British Columbia since April 1 of this year with over 30 per cent of them in the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Fire Information Officer, Madison Smith, says as of June 9, a total of 1,723 hectares has burned in the area which extends from Blue River in the north to the U.S. border in the south, and from Bridge River in the west to the Monashee Mountains in the east. That is over 80 per cent of the total 2,190 hectares of land that has burned so far this season.
“It is above the average [for this time of year],” she said, noting that is unlike the rest of the province which has seen an average wildfire season so far when compared to historical data.
Outside of the Kamloops Fire Centre, there have been 201 wildfires that has burned 467 hectares. There have been 58 fires in the Coastal Fire Centre (that has burned 67 hectares), 53 in the Southeast Fire Centre (53 hectares), and 39 fires each in the Cariboo and Prince George Fire Centre (250 hectares and 88 hectares respectively).
In the Northwest Fire Centre, there have been 12 fires that has burned nine hectares.
“Over 90 per cent of the wildfires this season, so since April 1, have been attributed to human activity. That’s province wide,” Smith added. “We got to watch our human caused wildfires to make sure our fires our out. We can’t obviously control lightning caused fires.”
After a dry spring, the B.C. Wildfire Service says the southern part of the province can expect an above average fire season later this year, if current trends continue. Given the dry conditions, a ban on open fires and fireworks in the Kamloops Fire Centre will go into effect at noon on Friday.
“So we do always take a look at obviously the weather, the danger ratings throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre when we are staffing for each week and our officers always ensure that we have sufficient staff on in order to fight fires if they happen,” Smith said.
The fire danger rating in the Kamloops Fire Centre is low to moderate though there are some pockets where the risk is high to extreme.
To report a wildfire, an unattended campfire, or an open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
For the latest on the current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures, or air quality advisories call 1-888-3-FOREST or go online here.
