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Kevin Skrepnek
Huge wildfires in B.C. could smoulder until next spring, says official
September 1, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. – A municipal leader in British Columbia’s central Interior says he wouldn’t be surprised if wildfires that have chewed through more than 10,600 square kilometres of woodland won’t be fully out until 2018. Chairman Al Richmond of…
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. extends province-wide state of emergency for the third time
August 18, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterBritish Columbia’s Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General announced on Friday that it has formally extended its province-wide state of emergency for the third time. The state of emergency now runs through to the end of the day on…
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…
Wildfire spreading west of 100 Mile House, B.C. as evacuation orders in effect
July 7, 2017 The Canadian Press (CPSTF)100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. – A wildfire in British Columbia’s Cariboo region has scorched more than 12 square kilometres of bush near 100 Mile House. The BC Wildfire Service says heavy smoke makes it difficult to determine the exact size…