Northeast BC Wildfire Fight Boosted by Cooler, Wetter Weather
The BC Wildfire Service reports that the current cooler and wetter conditions are aiding crews in their firefight efforts in the province’s northeast, where thousands of evacuees are still unable to return home after a second week.
The service anticipates that this more seasonable weather will continue until May 22.
Despite the favorable conditions, the service warns that much of the province remains unseasonably dry due to the ongoing drought, making fire fuels highly susceptible to ignition and causing wildfires to spread rapidly.
Most spring fires are typically attributed to human activities, so the service urges the public to minimize the risk.
As per the BC Wildfire Service dashboard, there are currently 119 active wildfires across the province, with 23 believed to be human-caused and 11 attributed to lightning strikes.
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According to online data, there are currently 10 fires classified as out of control, including the Parker Lake and Patry Creek fires which have been threatening the evacuated community of Fort Nelson.
Fort Nelson and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation in B.C.’s far northeast corner were evacuated on May 10, with approximately 4,700 individuals relocated and now residing in Fort St. John, 380 kilometers to the south.
