B.C.’s fire season is surging as the number of active wildfires more than doubled from 61 on Thursday to 134 by Friday morning, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).
The service says the surprising increase in fires can be attributed to the more than 35,000 lightning strikes on July 30 and 31 — with even more expected, as severe thunderstorm watches remained in place on Friday for a large swatch of the southern Interior and stretching into locations in the northeast.
Emelie Peacock, an information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said above-seasonal temperatures, especially in the southern Interior, roasted many parts of the province earlier in the week, with a cooler year compared to recent ones.
“We’ve certainly seen the southern parts of the province really come on board later in the season than we’re used to, but the southern parts of the province are now fully in wildfire season,” she said in an interview with the Canadian Press on Friday.
While she said the cooling trend and showers “are going to help us out,” the province isn’t “completely out of the woods yet.”
Peacock said thunderstorm activity will continue in the north, and it will likely bring dry lightning.
Peacock said people who want to get out and enjoy the long weekend are encouraged to check wildfire and driving information before they leave, as the wildfire situation is “very dynamic, and road conditions can change very quickly.”
Here are notable fires burning around the province:
Wesley Ridge fire on Vancouver Island
A fire northwest of Nanaimo has grown from 60 to 125 hectares and is classified as “out of control” by the BCWS, meaning it is spreading or expected to spread beyond the current perimeter.
An evacuation order is in effect for properties on the north side of Cameron Lake, including Chalet Road near Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, although the park and campground are still open, with the campground under an evacuation alert, according to the Ministry of Parks.
However, the ministry says the day-use areas for Cameron Lake and Beaufort along the Highway 4 corridor are closed to support B.C. wildfire operations.
The parks ministry asks the public to consult its website for the most up-to-date information.
The Regional District of Nanaimo has also issued an evacuation alert for nearly 300 properties to the northeast of the lake for the Little Qualicum River Village. An evacuation alert asks residents to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Peacock said the fire, which is measured at just under a square kilometre in size and visible from Highway 4, is “burning aggressively” in terrain that is difficult to access.
More than 40 firefighters and helicopters are working on the fire, and Peacock said Highway 4 is still open and unaffected.
The fire is suspected to be human-caused, which is how any wildfire not sparked by lightning is categorized.
Highway 4 is not currently impacted, but the wildfire service asks locals to check www.drivebc.ca for the most up-to-date conditions.
Drought Hill wildfire between Peachland and Kelowna
The Drought Hill fire is burning an area of about 57 hectares, two kilometres north of Peachland between Highway 97C and Highway 97.
The evacuation order has been lifted for all homes that were previously under an evacuation alert, according to the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations. Around 400 properties were ordered evacuated on Wednesday, but the regional district began gradually allowing residents to return starting Thursday afternoon.
The fire is now classified as “being held” rather than “out of control,” according to the latest update Friday morning. It means the fire is projected to remain within its current perimeter.
Eleven wildland firefighters are now responding, according to BCWS.
The fire is suspected to be human-caused.
Lytton Fire: Cantilever Bar
Two properties in Lytton First Nation are on evacuation order due to an “immediate danger to life and safety” from the Cantilever Bar wildfire, according to Chief Niakia Hanna.
The fire, which has been burning about 10 kilometres south of the village of Lytton since Monday, has grown to 1,262 hectares in size as of Friday morning.
The BCWS says there is a “vigorous surface fire with a moderate to high rate of spread, open flame and occasional candling visible.”
There are 77 wildland firefighters and five helicopters responding to the Cantilever Bar fire.
The fire is suspected to be human-caused.
Bear Creek fire near Harrison Hot Springs
A 124-hectare fire is burning out of control on the east side of Harrison Lake near Harrison Hot Springs.
Fraser Valley Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for the North Cascade Bay area on the east side of Harrison Lake due to the fire.
The BCWS says there is “increasing hazard” including rockfall along the Harrison East Forest Road and notes drivers heading north will be turned back, but drivers going south and travelling away from the fire will be let through to leave the area, as of Thursday night.
The fire is suspected to be human-caused.
Pitt Meadows fire
A fire in Pitt Meadows is being held at 0.1 hectares in the 200 block of Richardson Road, where forested land borders residential properties.
The City of Pitt Meadows said Thursday two homes in the immediate area were evacuated as a precaution, but there were no reports of injuries to people or animals.
Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Service is leading the response, with support from Maple Ridge Fire and Rescue and the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Cariboo: Snaking River wildfire
The Snaking River Wildfire was discovered 65 kilometres west of Quesnel on July 31 and has grown to 300 hectares.
Classified as out-of-control, the wildfire service said in a Thursday update that no structures or critical infrastructure were being threatened.
However, smoke from the fire is highly visible from Quesnel and Highway 97, and an evacuation alert has been issued for a rural area in the vicinity.
The cause of the fire is believed to be lightning.
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