Close X
Friday, October 11, 2024
ADVT 
India

B.C.'s Wildfire Season Surpasses 1958 Record For Amount Of Land Burned

The Canadian Press, 17 Aug, 2017 11:26 AM
  • B.C.'s Wildfire Season Surpasses 1958 Record For Amount Of Land Burned
British Columbia's wildfires have destroyed a record amount of forest, brush and grassland, surpassing the devastation of nearly 60 years ago.
 
Kevin Skrepnek with the BC Wildfire Service said about 8,944 square kilometres have been scorched by fires, breaking the previous record of 8,550 square kilometres, set in 1958.
 
With no rain in the forecast for the wildfire-ravaged southern parts of the province, Skrepnek said more land will be burned.
 
"Temperatures should be relatively seasonal going forward, so that's one silver lining," he said. "But the presence of wind and the lack of rain are going to be much more critical factors."
 
A total of 1,029 fires have occurred since the April 1 start of the wildfire season, and 149 of them are still burning.
 
A fire that destroyed dozens of homes near Ashcroft six weeks ago has now consumed even more structures in the Green Lake area almost 100 kilometres away.
 
 
Thompson-Nicola Regional District spokeswoman Debbie Sell said crews have not been able to access the site to determine exactly what has been lost as the active blaze that is more than 1,600 square kilometres in size continues to pose a danger.
 
Sell said affected property owners will be contacted as soon as specifics of damage are available.
 
Agriculture officials at the federal and provincial government levels are also working to tally damages that farmers and ranchers have suffered as a result of the fires.
 
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and B.C. counterpart Lana Popham met in Victoria on Tuesday.
 
Popham said she understands people are facing "extraordinary costs" after their land, equipment, crop and livestock were destroyed and both levels of  governments are working as quickly as possible to deliver help.
 
"One of the things we're realizing is that the losses of farms and equipment is very much weighing on our farmers, but the emotional toll is enormous," she said.
 
 
The extra help could cover everything from costs related to feeding, sheltering, transporting and ensuring the health of livestock to the expenses of re-establishing crops and pastures wiped out by the fires.
 
The exact amount the government will spend on these programs is still being calculated, but Popham said it will be in the millions of dollars.
 
RCMP are continuing to investigate human-caused fires and suspected arson.
 
Spokeswoman Dawn Roberts said charges against four males, all under the age of 18, are pending after a fire was set in a suburb of Williams Lake.
 
She said the men are also believed to be connected with a series of break-and-enters in the area that happened at the same time.
 
A trailer home that was destroyed in a fire 40 kilometres east of Alexis Creek has also been deemed a suspicious occurrence.
 
Roberts said the owner was located unharmed and the fire didn't spread to the surrounding area.

MORE India ARTICLES

Navjot Singh Sidhu Is An Opportunist: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal

Navjot Singh Sidhu Is An Opportunist: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said "disarrayed and opportunist" people like Navjot Singh Sidhu are "good for nothing" in public life.

Navjot Singh Sidhu Is An Opportunist: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal

Demonetisation: Prayer Bookings, Donations At Golden Temple See Drastic Decline

Demonetisation: Prayer Bookings, Donations At Golden Temple See Drastic Decline
It costs Rs 6,100 and the waiting period can be three years, but new bookings have come down from 50 a day to a maximum of 10, as people do not have enough cash.

Demonetisation: Prayer Bookings, Donations At Golden Temple See Drastic Decline

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Pargat Singh Will Join Congress On Nov 28

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Pargat Singh Will Join Congress On Nov 28
"Awaaz-E-Punjab leaders Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Pargat Singh will formally join the Congress party on November 28 in New Delhi," Amarinder said in New Delhi.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Pargat Singh Will Join Congress On Nov 28

Ajeet Singh: Fighting Trafficking Head-On

Ajeet Singh:  Fighting Trafficking Head-On
For nearly three decades, Guria has been waging a war against trafficking by rescuing minors and second generation prostitutes from trafficking, rehabilitating them and fighting cases against pimps and brokers so they do not integrate back into society as repeat offenders. 

Ajeet Singh: Fighting Trafficking Head-On

Navjot Sidhu Set To Merge Awaaz Front Into Congress?

Navjot Sidhu Set To Merge Awaaz Front Into Congress?
  “The meeting is just between Sidhu and Rahul. No joining is likely tomorrow (Wednesday). A formal announcement is expected later this week,” sources said.

Navjot Sidhu Set To Merge Awaaz Front Into Congress?

Punjab Congress Misses Its Deadline As AAP, Akalis Announce Candidates

Punjab Congress Misses Its Deadline As AAP, Akalis Announce Candidates
While assembly elections are likely to be held in the last week of January or early February, as per Election Commission of India officials, the Congress is still grappling with the names of its candidates for the 117 constituencies.

Punjab Congress Misses Its Deadline As AAP, Akalis Announce Candidates