With the mercury in Smithers expected to hit 30 Celsius this week, the Northwest Fire Centre is urging everyone to exercise extreme caution to prevent wildfires.
“The fire danger is increasing,” Suzanne Pearce, fire information office, said in regards to the rising temperatures that are expected to continue all week.
Pearce said the gusting wind is also a big concern for the fire centre, as it could spark a wildfire.
“Extinguish fires if it’s windy,” Pearce explained.
She also advises people to not light a fire in the first place in windy conditions.
Although the fire rating is currently moderate to high, Pearce said no restrictions on forest recreation use have been put in place.
“We haven’t been considering a campfire ban.”
In order for the fire centre to take this step, Pearce said these hot conditions must be sustained for a prolonged period of time in our region.
Homeowners should also take a proactive step, and take a look around their homes to see what measures they could take to reduce the effect of a wildfire if one were to come near their neighbourhood in these hot and dry conditions.
This is especially a concern as more homes are being built in urban interfaces (on the edge of forests), such as at cabins, Pearce said.
Although, the rating in Smithers may be moderate to high, Pearce encourages those travelling to the backcountry to look at the fire rating map, as pockets around our urban centre are seeing a fire rating of high to extreme.
“The Lakes District is seeing high to extreme,” she added.
To access the fire rating map, visit www.bcwildfire.ca
