Prince George, B.C.- While Prince George has been suffering through a wildfire smoke advisory as the levels of fine particulate have been nearly five times the acceptable limits, there are  concerns the worst may lie ahead.

 

There is a cold front moving into the central interior, and it will be packing high winds, “We are very worried about this week” says Minister of Forests and Range, Pat Bell.  

 

There is a low pressure system moving into the region and it will be packing very high winds “The fires we have right now, in the Cariboo, the Pelican Lake complex, Jade Mountain, Meldrum Creek, all those fires, we could lose, it is a very, very risky time.”

 

Bell says people need to know there is a real danger   in the back country this week and he hopes people will either post pone some of those back country excursions “When we issue evacuation orders to people we need them to obey, this is not a time for playing around.”

 

 

Bell says the situation shaping up today and tomorrow, “In particular Thursday of this week, could be one of the most devastating set of circumstances that we’ve ever faced in this province for fire.”

 

Bell says the Wildfire Management Branch is doing everything it can to get ready, but the high winds expected with the cold front “could literally put things out of control.” He says there are about 3500 personnel working on fires right now and all the equipment is ready to fall in to duty should it be needed.”We’re making sure the Provincial Emergency Program is ready to go, all of our tankers, literally every piece of equipment that we have  will be ready to go for Thursday.”

 

He says all of the elements point to the possibility of Thursday being one of the most challenging days B.C. has ever faced when it comes to fighting fires “I don’t want to be overly dramatic, that’s not my style, but I am very worried about Thursday of this week.”