British Columbia wildfire season now second worst in province’s history
VICTORIA — A year after the single worst season for wildfires in British Columbia’s history, government statistics indicate the 2018 wildfire season has already reached the second-worst mark, burning more than 9,450 square kilometres of land so far.
That should prompt a longer look and more research into the trend, which according to the province’s chief fire information officer has seen more than 21,000 square kilometres of land burned over the past two years.
Speaking from the Provincial Wildfire Co-ordination Centre in Kamloops, B.C., Kevin Skrepnek explained how the two seasons have been markedly different.
He said in 2017, the most troublesome fires all started during a three-day period in early July, burning for months and merging with other fires. While fires merging is not uncommon, Skrepnek said the sheer volume of blazes ignited in those three days kept fire crews busy for months.