Wildfire season is upon us again in BC. Weather forecasters are calling for a warm, dry summer overall.
Press release from BC government on recent wildfire activity in the Prince George area.
WILDFIRES RESULT OF CARELESSNESS AND DRY CONDITIONS
PRINCE GEORGE – Since April 1, the Prince George Fire Centre has responded to 51 wildfires, all of which have been human-caused and therefore considered preventable.
The fires have burned over 464 hectares, with the largest of the fires estimated at 170 hectares in size. Compared to this time last year, there had been only two fires that had burned one hectare.
To ensure you are not the cause of a wildfire, please take the following precautions when conducting any sort of open burning, including campfires:
· Only burn in appropriate conditions. Never burn when it is windy. Gusty winds can carry embers to other combustible materials and start new fires.
· Have enough water and hand tools nearby to control your fire, keeping in mind that winds can materialize quickly, even on a seemingly calm day.
· Ensure that all other combustible materials are cleared well away from the fire.
· Never leave your fire unattended at any time. Before leaving an area, douse the ashes with enough water that they are cold to the touch.
· If you are planning to do any open burning, obtain a burn registration number ahead of time by calling 1-888 797-1717.
The Prince George Fire Centre’s jurisdiction stretches from the Yukon and Northwest Territories to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, the Cottonwood River and Robson Valley in the south, and from the Alberta border west to the Skeena Mountains.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.
For more information on open fire restrictions or for updates on current wildfire activity, visit www.bcwildfire.ca.
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Showing posts with label wildfires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildfires. Show all posts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Forest Fire Season again in BC
Lately we've seen all the wildfires in California, and some in other parts of Canada. There have already been more fires in BC this year than most people probably realize (379), and most of these were caused by people.
Nelson BC had an incredible thunderstorm on Sunday night that had many loud lightning strikes. Luckily, there was about a half hour of rain that followed the storm. It doesn't seem like it's taken long for the outdoors to dry out, we've gone from cool, rainy periods in late spring to 30+ degree weather at the end of June. And the next two weeks look to have weather in the high 20s and low 30s.
Here is a recent news release from the Ministry of Forests on campfire safety, which is a good read for anyone taking their holidays this summer in the woods.
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June 26, 2008
Ministry of Forests and Range
CAMPFIRE SAFETY VITAL TO WILDFIRE PREVENTION
VICTORIA – Although British Columbia has experienced cooler than average temperatures so far this year, the potential for fire starts still exists due to low amounts of rainfall this spring, said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell today.
“During the long weekend and throughout the year, I encourage the public to practise campfire safety,” Bell said. “Remember that once you start a campfire, you are legally responsible for making sure it doesn’t escape and is completely out before you leave.”
Since April, provincial forest firefighters have responded to 101 abandoned campfires, 28 of which caused a forest fire. To date, abandoned campfires have burned over 70 hectares of forests, and have cost the Province nearly $160,000 in direct firefighting costs.
Fire crews have responded to 379 fires provincially since April 1, nearly 85 per cent of which were caused by people.
Although the 2008 fire season has had a slow start due to the cold spring, some regions are already experiencing very dry forest fuel conditions due to low precipitation. Fine fuels including grass are drying, raising fire risks especially when people underestimate conditions.
Practise campfire safety by never leaving your fire unattended. Use an existing fire pit, or build a proper one by placing a ring of rocks around the fire to prevent escape. Individuals are reminded to have water and hand tools close by, and to saturate the fire with water until it is completely cold to the touch before leaving.
For the latest information on fire bans, fire danger ratings and weather information, visit the Protection program website: www.bcwildfire.ca.
Please report all grass and forest fires to 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on the cellular network.
Nelson BC had an incredible thunderstorm on Sunday night that had many loud lightning strikes. Luckily, there was about a half hour of rain that followed the storm. It doesn't seem like it's taken long for the outdoors to dry out, we've gone from cool, rainy periods in late spring to 30+ degree weather at the end of June. And the next two weeks look to have weather in the high 20s and low 30s.
Here is a recent news release from the Ministry of Forests on campfire safety, which is a good read for anyone taking their holidays this summer in the woods.
------
June 26, 2008
Ministry of Forests and Range
CAMPFIRE SAFETY VITAL TO WILDFIRE PREVENTION
VICTORIA – Although British Columbia has experienced cooler than average temperatures so far this year, the potential for fire starts still exists due to low amounts of rainfall this spring, said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell today.
“During the long weekend and throughout the year, I encourage the public to practise campfire safety,” Bell said. “Remember that once you start a campfire, you are legally responsible for making sure it doesn’t escape and is completely out before you leave.”
Since April, provincial forest firefighters have responded to 101 abandoned campfires, 28 of which caused a forest fire. To date, abandoned campfires have burned over 70 hectares of forests, and have cost the Province nearly $160,000 in direct firefighting costs.
Fire crews have responded to 379 fires provincially since April 1, nearly 85 per cent of which were caused by people.
Although the 2008 fire season has had a slow start due to the cold spring, some regions are already experiencing very dry forest fuel conditions due to low precipitation. Fine fuels including grass are drying, raising fire risks especially when people underestimate conditions.
Practise campfire safety by never leaving your fire unattended. Use an existing fire pit, or build a proper one by placing a ring of rocks around the fire to prevent escape. Individuals are reminded to have water and hand tools close by, and to saturate the fire with water until it is completely cold to the touch before leaving.
For the latest information on fire bans, fire danger ratings and weather information, visit the Protection program website: www.bcwildfire.ca.
Please report all grass and forest fires to 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on the cellular network.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Lake Tahoe Wildfires
Some facts on this fire:
- covers 12.5 square km
- 225 buildings or homes destroyed, 500 more at risk
- over 1,000 people evacuated
- winds over 50 km/hr played a large part in the fire's spread
- almost 2,000 people working on containing the fire
They expect to have the fire contained by about July 3. This is a reminder what can happen under the wrong conditions when you have homes and structures in forested areas.
Stats from Bloomberg:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=at2Pyi.yep4c&refer=us
- covers 12.5 square km
- 225 buildings or homes destroyed, 500 more at risk
- over 1,000 people evacuated
- winds over 50 km/hr played a large part in the fire's spread
- almost 2,000 people working on containing the fire
They expect to have the fire contained by about July 3. This is a reminder what can happen under the wrong conditions when you have homes and structures in forested areas.
Stats from Bloomberg:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=at2Pyi.yep4c&refer=us
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