By Ethan Ready

Moderate wildfire risk

Driest April since ’43 has PG Fire Centre urging safety over long weekend

May 14, 2020 | 2:15 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Fire Centre just endured its dryest April since 1943.

As a result, those conditions are contributing to the current moderate danger zone across the region, with some areas experiencing a high risk of wildfires.

Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service

“The the last week alone, we’ve had 24 incidents which have led to nine wildfires, and there are three active wildfires currently in our fire centre,” explained Rachelle Winsor, Communications Specialist with the Prince George Fire Centre.

With the May long weekend approaching, Winsor reminds residents of the active burn prohibitions for our region, being category two and three resource management fires that are currently restricted, and that does include the use of fireworks. Campfires are permitted.

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Also having ample amounts of water nearby is recommended, as well as a shovel. Winsor says it’s still too early to tell how this summer will be for wildfires as we hope for some precipitation.

“Right now, it’s kind of a best-guess on historical data, but we haven’t had our spring rains yet so usually May and June is our wet season, and we haven’t got much precipitation yet. What we get in the next month or so is actually going to set us up for the rest of the summer.”

Heading into the May-long weekend, the Prince George Fire Centre has prepared themselves for any situations that may arise. Currently, they have 15 different initial attack crews on standby across the region, as well as two unit crews, aviation (which includes air tankers and helicopters), and heavy machinery.

If you come across a fire, you can contact *5555 on your cellphone or through BC Wildfire’s new mobile app, as well as utilizing the contact information on their website.