BC’s one wildfire of note, the Spatsum Creek fire south of Ashcroft   courtesy Wildfire Management Branch

Prince George, BC –  The Prince George Fire Centre is ready for the season, but isn’t expecting anything significant this weekend…

Senior Fire Protection Officer, Brent Bye, says the only two active fires in the region were mopped up on Friday.  Bye says the fire centre is keeping a close eye on the Peace River region where wind and low humidity could lead to trouble.  "A fire start up there in our dry grass hazard area is likely to spread rather quickly, so there is potential for good fire growth in the Peace."  A Category Two ban on all backyard burning remains in place there.

The fire protection officer says it’s too early to make any predictions on what’s in store for the 2013 forest fire season.  He points out that the areas that had significant problems last year – around Fort Nelson and north of Fort St. John – had a good snowfall over the winter, with snow still remaining at the higher elevations and in standing timber.  "Right now, our problems are caused by light, ‘flashy’ fuels like dry grass or slash.  We’re still a ways yet from having what I would call a crown fire in standing timber."

However, Bye says the fire centre does have almost its full complement of personnel in place for the season with 31 initial attack crews and four 20-person unit crews available.

As for the province’s only wildfire of note, the Spatsum Creek fire burning south of Ashcroft is now reported to be 85-percent contained.  It began burning back on April 27th and initially forced a number of residents from their homes, but all evacuation orders have been rescinded.