Wildfire Conditions Improved, But Still Volatile

By 250 News

Victoria, B.C. – While weather across the province has cooled and helped wildfire fighting efforts over the past week, Minister of Forest and Range Pat Bell says the fire conditions are still very volatile and residence should remain vigilante.

Meanwhile, the province-wide campfire band continues and Minister Bell reports a total of 40,000 km was traveled last week by compliance and enforcement staff, speaking with a total of 3,756 people. Forty-three fines of $345 each were handed out for violation of the campfire ban and another 30 abandoned campfires were located and extinguished.

Minister Bell went on to state that he believes the efforts of the fire ban enforcement team and that of the media has helped increase public awareness. As proof, Bell mentioned there were just 22 human cause fires compared to an average of 40 in each of the previous two weeks.

Enforcement personnel is being doubled this weekend and Bell reminds the public that the current campfire ban also includes open flames like Tiki torches and candles.

So far, the total number of wildfires for the year is 2,413, consuming about 124-thousand hectares of forests. While the number of active fires is down to 604 compared to last week’s total of 625, Minister Bell cautions that Environment Canada is predicting a return to warmed, drier weather over the next week.

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