Canada Global(Web News) British Columbia is seeing some improvement in its wildfire situation, with fewer evacuation orders and cooler weather bringing relief. Only 55 properties remained under evacuation orders as of Tuesday, down significantly from a peak of more than 5,000 in recent weeks.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Buon Ma warned that while the drop in evacuation orders is promising, the wildfire season is far from over. Unstable weather conditions can change the situation quickly. Over the past week, BC has recorded 7,500 lightning strikes that ignited 256 fires, although crews have contained 80% of those new starts.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) early attack crews, consisting of four-person teams, are often the first to respond to new fires, aggressively controlling them before they threaten communities. work These crews can operate independently over 24 hours a day, with support from aerial and heavy equipment resources as needed. Despite fewer fires than last year, continued drought conditions pose risks.
So far, BC has spent $387 million on wildfire management this year, a 17 per cent drop from the same period in 2023, which was the deadliest wildfire season on record. This year’s spending is still subject to statutory authority, ensuring that funds will be available as needed to protect communities.
Although the number of active fires — more than 400 as of Tuesday — is about the same as last year, the size of the blazes is generally smaller. Mid-August last year saw some of the most devastating fires, including the massive Donnie Creek fire, which burned 5,000 square kilometres. This year, conditions are less volatile, with more rain and fewer fires reported.
Officials stress the importance of being vigilant, as fires can start and spread quickly in current conditions. So far this year, 1,428 wildfires have been recorded, compared to around 1,700 at this time last year, a slightly better situation but still above the 10-year average of around 1,100 fires
