Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Cooler, wetter weather aids B.C. wildfire fight in northeast

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 May, 2024 01:01 PM
  • Cooler, wetter weather aids B.C. wildfire fight in northeast

The BC Wildfire Service says cooler, wetter conditions are allowing crews to make progress in their firefight in the province's northeast where thousands of evacuees remain out of their homes for a second week.

The service says the more seasonable weather is expected to persist until Wednesday.

But it's warning that despite the favourable conditions, much of the province remains "unseasonably dry" due to the ongoing drought.

It says that means fire fuels remain "very susceptible to ignition" and wildfires can spread rapidly.

The service says that most spring fires are typically caused by human activity and is asking people to do their best to minimize this.

The BC Wildfire Service dashboard shows there are 119 active wildfires across the province, 23 of which are known or suspected to have been human-cased, with 11 blamed on lightning.

The online data shows 10 fires are classified as out of control, including the Parker Lake and Patry Creek fires that have been threatening the evacuated community of Fort Nelson

The town and neighbouring Fort Nelson First Nation in B.C.'s far northeast corner were evacuated of about 4,700 people on May 10, with most now waiting out the fires in Fort St. John, 380 kilometres to the south.

MORE National ARTICLES

Guilbeault seeking ways to end benzene exposure from Sarnia styrene plant

Guilbeault seeking ways to end benzene exposure from Sarnia styrene plant
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is looking for options to protect a southern Ontario First Nation from repeated exposure to benzene from a nearby chemical plant, as the plant issues a new warning about air pollution.  

Guilbeault seeking ways to end benzene exposure from Sarnia styrene plant

Opposition BC United seeks to prevent convicted dangerous offenders from name changes

Opposition BC United seeks to prevent convicted dangerous offenders from name changes
British Columbia's Opposition leader says community safety should come before protection of privacy rights for dangerous people. 

Opposition BC United seeks to prevent convicted dangerous offenders from name changes

'Extreme drought' in area of early-season wildfire near Chetwynd, B.C.

'Extreme drought' in area of early-season wildfire near Chetwynd, B.C.
British Columbia's first wildfire evacuation order of this year was rescinded within 24 hours, but local officials say "extreme drought" means the risk remains high.

'Extreme drought' in area of early-season wildfire near Chetwynd, B.C.

Alberta to pay nurse practitioners up to 80 per cent of what family doctors make

Alberta to pay nurse practitioners up to 80 per cent of what family doctors make
The Alberta government announced Thursday a new payment model that would allow nurse practitioners to make 80 per cent of what family doctors are paid.

Alberta to pay nurse practitioners up to 80 per cent of what family doctors make

Man accused of first-degree murder more than two years after Manitoba double homicide

Man accused of first-degree murder more than two years after Manitoba double homicide
Manitoba RCMP have charged a man with first-degree murder, more than two years after a double homicide on the Northlands Denesuline First Nation, a remote fly-in community of some 900 residents in the province's far north.

Man accused of first-degree murder more than two years after Manitoba double homicide

B.C.'s Joffre Lakes Park to have partial closure, allowing for conservation, tourism

B.C.'s Joffre Lakes Park to have partial closure, allowing for conservation, tourism
An agreement between the B.C. government and the First Nations that manage Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will see the popular tourist spot closed for part of the year to protect its "natural and cultural values."

B.C.'s Joffre Lakes Park to have partial closure, allowing for conservation, tourism