British Columbia (B.C.) has implemented a comprehensive campfire ban throughout the entire province, excluding Haida Gwaii, due to a sharp increase in wildfires caused by lightning strikes and dry conditions. The ban, announced by Minister of Emergency Management Bowinn Ma, took effect at 3 p.m. on Monday and applies to all category 1 campfires, which measure up to 50 centimetres by 50 centimetres. This ban expands on existing restrictions that were already in place in certain regions or for larger fires.
Over the weekend, the fire situation in B.C. intensified significantly, prompting the province to expect continued extreme fire behavior. Dry lightning strikes ignited 115 fires, bringing the total number of active fires to 311 across the province. As a result, 156 individuals were placed under evacuation orders, while another 629 were on evacuation alert in the northwest, northeast, and Cariboo regions of the Interior.
To aid in wildfire evacuations in the unincorporated Stikine Region, Ma declared a state of emergency effective immediately. This state of emergency, initially set for 14 days, allows for swift action and necessary resources to ensure the safety of residents. However, Ma emphasized that continuous assessment of the situation is ongoing in all regions of the province.
BC Wildfire Service spokesperson, Cliff Chapman, highlighted the gravity of the fire situation, stating that the province is facing resource constraints to combat the surge in wildfires. Chapman revealed that firefighters from Mexico and the United States have been deployed to assist in battling the fires, particularly in the hard-hit northeast region. The ban on category 1 campfires is aimed at reducing the risk of human-caused fires, emphasizing the importance of preventing any avoidable disasters.
In addition to the comprehensive campfire ban, certain regions in B.C. had already imposed restrictions on category 1 campfires. Currently, nearly two-thirds of the active fires in B.C., amounting to 200, are classified as out of control. Most concerning are the 13 labeled as “fires of note,” with 12 resulting in at least one evacuation order. However, major communities have not been directly threatened thus far.
Several fires are threatening rural highways, including Highway 27 south of Fort St. James and Highway 77 north of Fort Nelson. Meanwhile, a fire near the Yukon boundary, which was first spotted on Thursday, has expanded to cover an area of 300 square kilometers. Although it hasn’t directly impacted the link to Watson Lake and Whitehorse, authorities remain vigilant.
The wildfire situation extends beyond B.C., as a blaze in the Ibex Valley in Yukon has tripled in size since Sunday and remains out of control. This fire has led to evacuation alerts for properties along the route. The heightened wildfire danger in B.C. prompted Environment Canada to issue severe thunderstorm watches for the Fort Nelson and Peace River regions, where earlier evacuations had taken place in July.
On Sunday, B.C. experienced record-breaking high temperatures, with Fort Nelson reaching 33 degrees Celsius—an all-time high for the northeastern community since the last record set 64 years ago. Nakusp in B.C.’s southeast also recorded a scorching temperature of 37.2 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous mark set 22 years ago. Similarly, Yukon remains under heat warnings that extend almost 500 kilometers from its boundaries with B.C. and the Northwest Territories north to Mayo. Although conditions may ease slightly in B.C. by Tuesday, cooler weather is unlikely to reach Yukon for several more days.
The current wildfire crisis in B.C. is exacerbated by the lack of rainfall and precipitation over the past year, resulting in worsening drought conditions. Most water basins in the province are at level four, suggesting extremely dry conditions with socioeconomic and ecological impacts.
As the state of emergency persists in B.C., the government remains committed to prioritizing public safety and assessing the evolving situation throughout the province. The ban on campfires serves as a crucial preventative measure, urging global assistance to combat wildfires and prevent further human-caused disasters in B.C.
Source link
