Wildfire Update: 17 New Fires

The BC Wildfire Service says the number of human caused fires this season has been about the same as previous years — so far.

“Usually by the time we’ve reached the end of the season, we’re usually at a 60-40 split: 60 percent naturally occurring fires to 40 percent human caused fires,” says chief information officer Kevin Skrepnek.

Skrepnek says 364 of the 931 fires this season, have been person caused, which works out to 39 percent.

There are 146 fires burning in BC today — with 17 news ones on Monday, most of those caused by lightning.

About 7,000 people remain evacuated from their homes due to fires, with 25,000 on alert.

The cost to fight fires this season is $243 million.

Skrepnek says the weather will remain hot, dry and smoky until Thursday.

“Friday is when we start to see a bit of a shift in the pattern in terms of changing weather, with potentially some cooler temperatures and rain in many areas, but it is still far out.”

Skrepnek says a general increase in winds later this week should clear up some of the smoke across southern BC.

The Elephant Hill Fire between Cache Creek and Clinton is listed at 110,000 hectares and 30% contained.

“That size is likely to increase as we get a better map of the fire’s perimeter,” says Skrepnek.

Photo courtesy of BC Wildfire Service