Wildfires continue to burn across the province, with two out of control blazes in the Golden area.
The Mt. Hunter fire has not seen any notable growth in the last week after a planned ignition prior to the August long weekend, the B.C. wildfire dashboard listing it at 445 hectares in estimated size.
Sections of the fire continue to smoulder after the ignition, with the BC Wildfire Service saying a section of trees that were damaged in a fire from a few years ago are helping contain the perimeter.
Despite the success, the fire is still classified as ‘out of control,’ although this does not necessarily describe the behaviour of the fire as out of control.
The Carrol Creek fire has seen some small growth, from 442 hectares last week to 457 hectares this week.
It remains a modified response fire, and has not yet reached trigger points that would require a further response.
Smoke is expected to continue in Golden, as the smoky skies bulletin implemented by Environment Canada remains in place.
During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.
While wildfire smoke is a natural part of our environment, it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health.
People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections such as COVID-19, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.
Due to increasing wildfire activity, Interior Health has deployed a number of measures to ensure the safe continuity of care for care home residents, community health clients and acute care patients throughout the region. Several long-term care residents in the region have proactively been relocated out of high-activity zones in the Okanagan.
Rain over the last few days is expected to help with fire suppression, although a return to dry conditions by week’s end will continue to present challenges.
However, temperatures are expected to return to season with mixed precipitation as summer comes to a close.
The BC Wildfire Service says nearly 270 wildfires are currently burning in all corners of the province and many – including the blaze that destroyed the Village of Lytton in June and a 31,600-hectare fire west of Prince George – continue to put homes and properties at risk.
Tourists are being asked to avoid travelling to the Okanagan as the region continues to burn, with Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth stating that resources such as hotel space are needed to accommodate fire evacuees.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll free or *5555 on a cellphone.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit the website http://www.bcwildfire.ca/.
