Keyword
BC Wildfire Service
Hundreds of properties evacuated as wind prompts growth in B.C. wildfires
August 16, 2021 Hina Alam - THE CANADIAN PRESSHigh winds intensified numerous wildfires burning in British Columbia, forcing more evacuation orders for residents in hundreds of homes late Sunday, says the BC Wildfire Service. Some of the largest and most dangerous fires are burning in the southern Interior…
Lightning sparks more than 100 wildfires in B.C., further storms expected
June 21, 2018 The Canadian PressKAMLOOPS, B.C. – The B.C. Wildfire Service says more than 100 new blazes started after lightning storms rolled across the province Wednesday. Chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek says 113 fires have recorded, most of them due to lightning, and…
B.C. tourism industry taking major hit due to wildfires
August 31, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)KAMLOOPS, B.C. – British Columbia’s tourism industry is taking a hit with businesses reporting rising cancellations and decreased traffic over fears of wildfires. Maya Lange with Destination BC, the province’s tourism planning and marketing corporation, said Wednesday preliminary results from a survey of businesses in the Kootenay-Rockies region found that 32 per cent are anticipating losses due to perceptions of the fires.
“We are very concerned. Just looking at the volume of visitation and the volume of trips that are taken by British Columbian…
Evacuees return home near Kelowna, B.C., as wildfire continues to burn
August 28, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)KELOWNA, B.C. – Hundreds of people forced from their homes by a wildfire burning east of Kelowna, B.C., have been allowed to return, but others remain displaced. The Central Okanagan Regional District said an evacuation order for 263 properties was lifted Sunday morning and about 600 residents are now allowed to go home.
About 400 other residents remain under evacuation order due to the flames, and people who have been allowed to return will remain on evacuation alert, meaning they must be prepared…
ICBC reports 124 claims and $500,000 in costs from wildfires to date
August 23, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) reported on Wednesday that it has received 124 claims to date, at a cost of $500,000, from the wildfires burning in the province. Most vehicle damage claims were related to extreme heat and smoke damage, with some vehicles even rendered as total losses, ICBC reported in a press release.
Recognizing that it is experiencing the “worst wildfire season in the province’s history,” ICBC added that it has made formal changes to its policies to reflect “these special circumstances for customers on evacuation…
BC Wildfire Service says 19 fires burn together to create “largest wildfire in British Columbia’s history”
August 22, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Over 400 firefighters are working to contain the largest wildfire in British Columbia’s history. Kevin Skrepnek of the BC Wildfire Service said 19 fires merged in an area west of Quesnel in the Interior, creating a single…
B.C.’s wildfire season surpasses 1958 record for amount of land burned
August 17, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)KAMLOOPS, B.C. – British Columbia’s wildfires have destroyed a record amount of forest, brush and grassland, surpassing the devastation of nearly 60 years ago. Kevin Skrepnek with the BC Wildfire Service said about 8,944 square kilometres have been scorched by…
B.C. considers closing wide swath of backcountry because of wildfire risk
August 11, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. – A mix of dry conditions and forecast lightning has officials in British Columbia considering closing access to a vast section of its backcountry to mitigate the wildfire risk. Restrictions on access to all Crown land in…
B.C. tourism businesses feeling effects of wildfires, reporting cancellations
August 10, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Tourism officials are starting to assess the impact of devastating wildfires in British Columbia and have received mixed feedback on the toll so far on the travel sector. Maya Lange of Destination BC, the province’s tourism planning…
Controlled burns crucial in battling big wildfires, B.C. official says
August 3, 2017 Geordon Omand - THE CANADIAN PRESSVANCOUVER – A spokesman for British Columbia’s wildfire service says crews accidentally sparked a blaze while burning off fuel in order to contain one of many fires raging across the province’s Interior. Kevin Skrepnek says embers ignited a nearby hillside…
Unrelenting heat, wind and lightning keeping firefighters, homeowners anxious in B.C.
July 28, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Hot, dry conditions, gusty winds and a chance of lightning are expected to keep wildfire crews in British Columbia watchful this weekend. The BC Wildfire Service said its weather forecasters have issued a wind warning for the…
Incoming weather to increase fire behavior in B.C., government suggests
July 27, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterAfter several days of favourable weather for firefighting in British Columbia, weather conditions are worsening in the Cariboo Fire Centre, bringing with it an expected increase in fire behavior and wildfire growth, the province’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural…