Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Rain, Cool Weather Dampen B.C. Wildfires Ahead Of Aid Arriving From Down Under

The Canadian Press, 14 Jul, 2015 11:48 AM
    VANCOUVER — Australian wildfire specialists were expected to arrive in British Columbia on Monday, just as residents of a lakefront community threatened by an aggressive fire were finally allowed to return home.
     
    The Puntzi Lake fire, about 130 kilometres west of Williams Lake in B.C.'s central Interior, has destroyed buildings on four properties, including a hunting-and-fishing resort and two homes.
     
    It is one of 221 active wildfires burning across the province, said provincial fire information officer Navi Saini, adding rain and cooler weather on the weekend may have helped decrease the wildfire situation.
     
    She said a provincewide campfire ban remains in effect.
     
    Karen Powell of the Cariboo Fire Centre said about 12 millimetres of rain fell on the Puntzi Lake fire over the weekend, allowing crews to attack the fire's edge with heavy machinery. She said the fire is now about 80 square kilometres in size and 30 per cent contained.  
     
    Al Richmond of the Cariboo Regional District said an evacuation order was lifted for 30 properties on the lake's southern shore, but the order remains effective for 60 other properties.
     
    "Things are looking better, but we're cautiously optimistic," Richmond said. "A couple of days of cool weather would really help us but a return to hot, dry weather and we get winds again, then we are concerned.”
     
    Richmond said people who were returning home Monday do not live in the same area where the buildings burned and will remain on evacuation alert.
     
    The smoke has cleared but the homes are without power, though BC Hydro was trying to restore it, he said.
     
     
    Saini said the Australian fire crews were expected to arrive in the province Monday afternoon.
     
    "For the most part, these 50 personnel are highly trained specialists more at the command and co-ordination side of things," she said, adding they will not be actively fighting fires.
     
    Sixteen of them will help co-ordinate fire camps, she said, and the others will perform jobs such as co-ordinating helicopters and analyzing fire behaviour. 
     
    "They will be briefed in Chilliwack on Tuesday and Wednesday this week before being sent out into the field."
     
    Last year, 73 Australians assisted wildfire efforts, costing B.C. about $2.5 million, she said.
     
    "We have a reciprocal agreement in place, so we in British Columbia have also offered help to Australia in previous busy fire seasons."
     
    Since April 1, the BC Wildfire Service has recorded 1,073 fires that have burned about 283,500 hectares and cost about $108 million to fight.
     
    In contrast, 477 fires had burned 24,000 hectares at a cost of $44 million at the same time last year, Saini said.
     
    About 2,500 people are currently battling wildfires, including 1,000 contract personnel, along with two amphibious aircraft from Ontario, she said.
     
    The long-term weather forecast is calling for widespread showers in many southern and central areas of the province, she said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Othman Ayed Hamdan, Fort St. John Man Charged With Terrorism Had No Links To Local Community: Mayor

    Othman Ayed Hamdan, Fort St. John Man Charged With Terrorism Had No Links To Local Community: Mayor
    VANCOUVER — A northern British Columbia man who has been charged with terrorism-related offences had no links to the community, the town's mayor said Saturday.

    Othman Ayed Hamdan, Fort St. John Man Charged With Terrorism Had No Links To Local Community: Mayor

    First Indian NBA Player Satnam Singh Bhamara Makes Summer League Debut In Team's Defeat

    India's first National Basketball Association (NBA) player Satnam Singh Bhamara made his Summer League debut for Dallas Mavericks against New Orleans in a match that saw his team go down 86-90.

    First Indian NBA Player Satnam Singh Bhamara Makes Summer League Debut In Team's Defeat

    Three Dead, One Seriously Injured After Car Crash In Quebec's Monteregie Region

    Three Dead, One Seriously Injured After Car Crash In Quebec's Monteregie Region
    MONTREAL — A collision between two vehicles Saturday night in southwest Quebec's Monteregie region has left three people dead and one seriously injured.

    Three Dead, One Seriously Injured After Car Crash In Quebec's Monteregie Region

    Liberals, NDP To Debate Proposed B.C. LNG Deal During Summer Legislative Session

    Liberals, NDP To Debate Proposed B.C. LNG Deal During Summer Legislative Session
    VICTORIA — British Columbia's politicians are returning to the legislature to debate the details of an agreement that could pave the way for the largest private investment in the province's history — a proposed $36-billion liquefied natural gas export plant.

    Liberals, NDP To Debate Proposed B.C. LNG Deal During Summer Legislative Session

    Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre Flogs Enhanced Child Care Benefit As Boost To The Economy

    Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre Flogs Enhanced Child Care Benefit As Boost To The Economy
    OTTAWA — Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre touted the Conservative government's enhanced child care benefit as boost for the economy while warning Canadians should take heed of offshore financial chaos.

    Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre Flogs Enhanced Child Care Benefit As Boost To The Economy

    No Winning Ticket For $25.8-million Jackpot In Saturday's Lotto 6-49 Draw

    No Winning Ticket For $25.8-million Jackpot In Saturday's Lotto 6-49 Draw
    TORONTO — No one has the winning ticket for the $25.8-million jackpot in Saturday night's Lotto 6-49 draw.

    No Winning Ticket For $25.8-million Jackpot In Saturday's Lotto 6-49 Draw