Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service

By Adam Berls

wildfire update

Wildfire situation in B.C. shifting

Jul 27, 2023 | 2:38 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma gave an update on the current wildfire situation Thursday and Prince George and the North received a fair bit of precipitation over the weekend and this week, but as the Minister mentioned the rain is good, but it’s not enough.

“Many parts of British Columbia experienced showers and cooler weather over the last couple of days. I know that this may give the perception that our drought and wildfire challenges have been eased, but that is not necessarily the case. While the rain did give our hardworking firefighters a chance to take a deep breath, the wildfire and drought situation remains largely unchanged due to the drought conditions we have been seeing since last summer.” – Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

With the current drought conditions, many water basins across the province are experiencing level 4 or 5 drought classification, and everyone is being urged to continue to reduce their water usage. Prince George is currently at Level 5. After earlier calls to reduce water usage, Minister Ma said that the province is seeing signs of success on that front.

“We are seeing signs of success and voluntary reductions from licensed water users and we are grateful to those white water licensees who are taking the drought as seriously as we are. At this time, no temporary protection orders have been issued in B.C., but they will be issued if required.” – Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

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As of July 27, there are over 400 wildfires burning, which is down from earlier in the week and last weekend, when the numbers were closer to 500. Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston says that fire activity in the province is shifting.

“Since the beginning of April this year, 1496 wildfires have burned a total of 1.5 million hectares. For much of this fire season so far, the north has been the center of fire activity in British Columbia. However, as conditions change, we’re seeing more wildfire in the Cariboo, Central Interior and the East and West Kootenays.” – Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests

Currently, over 3000 personnel are directly engaged in wildfire responses across BC. Additional firefighters are expected to arrive this week from Costa Rica and Ontario. Canadian Armed Forces personnel are still on the ground in Vanderhoof and Burns Lake.

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Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com