National

Weekend weather in central B.C. causes 'very aggressive' fire activity

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Sep, 2023 10:03 AM

British Columbia's wildfire service says long weekend weather conditions caused "very aggressive fire activity" on several active blazes in the province's central fire zone.

The service says the area covering the Vanderhoof and Fort St. James fire zone saw less humidity than expected, coupled with hot temperatures and strong winds over the long weekend.

The #BCWildfire Service is expanding the previous Area Restriction for the Big Creek (G60666) wildfire.
This Order takes effect on Tuesday September 5, 2023, at 12:00 noon PDT and remains in force until Saturday, September 30, 2023, or until the order is rescinded. pic.twitter.com/sDpQnXVEaY
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 4, 2023

The wildfire service says the conditions increased fire behaviour in the region, spurring evacuation orders and alerts in rural areas by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

In the Bulkley-Nechako, the regional district says it has ordered the evacuation of all properties west of the Kenney Dam due to the Lucas Lake wildfires, and properties to the dam's east remain on alert.

In the Fraser-Fort George, the regional district ordered the evacuation of Electoral Area G due to the Great Beaver Lake wildfire, which was discovered at the beginning of July and has grown to 107 square kilometres.

More than 430 fires continue to burn in B.C., with more than 2070 reported this season that have charred more than 22,200 square kilometres.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Another B.C. mill affected by forestry downturn

Western Forest Products announced Thursday that the mill will not restart "in its current configuration" and says a group, including the United Steelworkers and Indigenous partners, will spend the next 90 days seeking viable solutions for the operation.

Another B.C. mill affected by forestry downturn

Canadians fret over state of health care: poll

Doctors, nurses and patient advocacy groups have been frantically waving red flags about the crisis unfolding in Canadian hospitals since the pandemic began, when intensive care units and emergency rooms were flooded with patients.

Canadians fret over state of health care: poll

Get tougher with Canada on USMCA, senators urge

The letter says American dairy producers still aren't getting the access to the Canadian market they're entitled to under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. It also describes Canada's planned digital services tax as discriminatory and raises similar concerns about new legislation to regulate online streaming and news.

Get tougher with Canada on USMCA, senators urge

B.C. requests more info on Surrey police shift

Farnworth says the policing transition in Surrey is complex, requiring a full and in-depth analysis before a decision is made, as stability in policing is fundamental to ensuring public safety. Surrey city council voted in December to send a plan to Farnworth requesting to keep the RCMP, saying that would save $235 million over five years.

B.C. requests more info on Surrey police shift

B.C. to install earthquake warning sensors

A joint federal and provincial government announcement today says the sensors will give seconds, or perhaps tens of seconds, of warning before the strongest shaking arrives, helping to reduce injuries, deaths and property loss.

B.C. to install earthquake warning sensors

Canada offers four Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine

The four tanks that Canada is sending to Ukraine are being drawn from the Army’s current inventory of 82 Leopard 2s designed for battle, which former Army officers have said are already stretched thin.