Matt MacDonald of Environment Canada (Province of B.C. image)

By Pete McIntyre

Wildfire Update

Rain, cooler weather keeping wildfire numbers low

Jun 12, 2024 | 4:00 PM

It’s been a slower start to B.C.’s wildfire season compared to last year.

Matt MacDonald, lead forecaster with the BC Wildfire Service, told a provincial news conference Wednesday about 300,000 hectares have been consumed by fires this season — mostly in the northeast corner of B.C. — compared to around one million hectares in 2023.

“We were quite confident last year that pattern was to continue and it was likely to be a record breaking season just because of the very active early season.”

However, MacDonald said the rain and cooler conditions this spring have helped keep the numbers down so far, but warmer than normal weather is expected this summer.

“Inevitably we will be upticking with continued activity into July and August,” he added.

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As of today, there are 108 active fires in BC, including 6 in the Kamloops Fire Centre, with all of those under control.

B.C.’s Forests Minister said recommendations made by a provincial emergencies task force are having an immediate impact for this year’s wildfire season.

Bruce Ralston told the media conference some of the measures implemented include leasing more planes and helicopters, more prevention work, and adding new technology.

He said they have also enhanced wildland firefighter recruitment and training, which has paid-off with more than twice the number of normal applicants for firefighters.

Cliff Chapman, director of operations with the BC Wildfire Service said six additional staff were trained in the off season for using night vision technology who could be used to perform ‘tanking operations” where helicopters can apply water on fires at night.

“We’ve already made investments in being able to use night vision for detection, recognizance and situational awareness,” Chapman remarked.

To better support people who cannot meet their own needs during evacuations from wildfires and other climate emergencies, the province is introducing several improved measures stemming from the task force, including:

• Introducing an accommodation allowance of $200 per night, which is available through Interac e-transfer or at reception centres. This will provide people with greater flexibility choosing where they stay during an evacuation, whether to stay with family or friends, find a hotel on their own or stay at a campground. Alternatively, people can still receive a direct referral to a hotel or other accommodation from their local government or First Nation.
• A new Interac e-transfer direct deposit payment option for people who need help securing accommodation during large-scale evacuations. This will help cut down on long lineups at evacuation reception centres and allow people more flexibility and quicker access to emergency funds during an evacuation. People will also have the option of visiting a reception centre to receive financial support in person.
• Updating and redesigning the EmergencyInfoBC website (https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/) to improve user experience, especially on mobile devices. This includes introducing a new easy-to-use share feature, inviting people to share validated and accurate emergency information with their social network, such as X and Facebook.

At last update, there were 108 active wildfires in B.C., with 96 of those classified as under control.

There were six active fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes the Okanagan, with all of those under control.