B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
"With these heightened temperatures, we may see an increase in wildfire activity, particularly in the northeast," Bowinn Ma, minister of emergency management and climate readiness, told reporters in Victoria on Thursday.
"I want to encourage everyone, particularly those living in the northeast, to remain vigilant and to be prepared," she added.
The emergency management minister was joined by Forests Minister Bruce Ralston, whose ministry oversees the province's wildfire service, in advising residents to create an emergency grab-and-go kit and make sure home insurance coverage is up to date.
"Many British Columbians are wondering what to expect this wildfire season, especially with the warm weather in the forecast right now, even though it's only May," Ralston said. "There are many active wildfires in British Columbia, and with temperatures expected to climb this weekend, these numbers will likely grow."
According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, 111 fires were actively burning in the province Thursday morning, with two fires near Fort Nelson categorized as out of control.
'Another challenging wildfire season'
Wildfire officials are especially concerned about the hot and windy conditions forecast over the next 48 hours in the sparsely populated northeastern reaches of the province, the authorities said.
A wildfire incident management team has been dispatched to the Fort Nelson area to establish a command centre ahead of the weekend heatwave.
"Ground resources, helicopters, air tankers, unit crews and initial attack crews are being brought in early to add to existing regional resources," Ralston said.
The province is prepared to issue emergency alerts to cellphones, television and radio broadcasts when necessary through the Alert Ready system, which was tested Wednesday morning.
"During urgent situations, the province will issue emergency alerts like the one you received yesterday to deliver critical information to people who may be at risk," Ma said.
Last summer the province issued two dozen such alerts for wildfire evacuations, she added.
Ongoing drought conditions mean the risk of damaging wildfires over the coming months is significant.
'Multi-year' drought
B.C.'s River Forecast Centre says the province is in a "multi-year" precipitation deficit with persistent drought conditions stretching back to 2022.
On Thursday, B.C.'s minister of water, land and resource stewardship warned that snowpack levels are at 66 per cent of normal volumes across the province.
"Depending on how the snowpack continues to melt, in addition to spring and summer precipitation, there is an increased potential for drought this summer," Nathan Cullen said.
"Much of the water that B.C. uses comes from melting snowpack," he added. "We experienced severe drought last year and remain at high risk going into the season, and that's why we're preparing for what's to come this summer and in the years ahead."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
What we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
The push to Parliament's summer hiatus is about to begin, here's what you need to know
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war between Israel and Hamas.
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection with US$100 million in financing commitments
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you’ve been to a party lately and haven’t seen someone drinking a BORG, you’re likely not partying with college students.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Your kids' ultraprocessed food consumption may put them at higher risk, study shows
The ultraprocessed foods your kids eat now may be putting them at greater risk for cardiometabolic problems – like heart attack, stroke and diabetes – in adulthood, a new study suggests.