B.C.'s wildfire, drought conditions 'largely unchanged' after recent rainfall, officials say
Recent rainfall gave B.C.'s firefighters a welcome reprieve from this year's historic wildfire season, but appears to have done little to improve conditions.
Speaking at her weekly briefing update Thursday, B.C. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said wildfire and drought conditions remain "largely unchanged" despite days of wetter and cooler weather in many parts of the province.
"The recent rainfall we've received was much welcomed but it wasn't enough to have a meaningful impact," Ma said. "I'm calling on all British Columbians to remain vigilant and continue to follow all regional fire prohibitions and water restrictions."
So far this year, a total of 1,512,635 hectares of the province – or 15,126 square kilometres – has been scorched by 1,498 wildfires.
That's an increase of more than 100,000 hectares since Ma's previous update on July 18, when the province had already surpassed its previous all-time record for area burned.
The previous record was set in 2018, when 2,117 wildfires burned 1,354,284 hectares.
The number of active wildfires has dropped over recent days, with 408 burning as of Thursday morning, down by approximately 70 since Monday. Eight of those fires were sparked over the previous 24 hours.
Officials said the wetter, cooler weather allowed for a "slight reset" in the northern half of the province, but that their attention has shifted to the South Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast fire centres, which did not experience the same relief.
Across the province, approximately 1,060 people remain under evacuation order due to wildfires, with another 5,430 under evacuation alert. Most of the affected residents are living in the central and southeast regions.
'EVERY DROP COUNTS'
Drought conditions have continued to worsen as well, with 23 of the province's 34 water basins now at Level 4 or Level 5 on the drought classification system.
The Lower Mainland is among the regions at Level 4, while Vancouver Island is among the regions at Level 5 – the maximum level under the system.
Ma reiterated her previous calls for all British Columbians, as well as industrial water licensees, to do their part to conserve water: "Every drop counts," she said.
Officials said they have already seen some voluntary reductions in consumption among licencees, and have not needed to issue protection orders against any businesses under the Water Sustainability Act.
"They will be issued if required," Ma added.
Drought conditions are significantly worse than normal for this time of year, due to a mix of high temperatures and low precipitation. The River Forecast Centre has said May's soaring temperatures brought the earliest snowpack melt ever seen in the province.
Forecasters expect warmer-than-normal temperatures for the remainder of the summer as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.