Latest news with #NortheastBC
CBC
15 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Dry northeast 'region of greatest concern' in B.C.'s wildfire season: officials
British Columbia's wildland firefighters are predicting a busy fire season in parts of the province, particularly in the northeast where multiple evacuation orders are already in place and fires have been growing rapidly. Neal McLoughlin, superintendent of predictive services for the B.C. Wildfire Service, said that while spring rainfall and normal temperatures have alleviated some concern, the likelihood of an active season is growing in regions experiencing persistent drought, including the southwestern Interior, the Chilcotin and the far northwest. "But the northeast is the region of greatest concern, and will experience continued fire activity through the summer, given their multi-year drought conditions and presence of overwintering fires that have shown up this spring," he told a news conference Monday. McLoughlin said the amount of rain required to mitigate risk in areas of persistent drought isn't on the way. "We would need upwards of 150 millimetres of rain over the next three weeks to really make a dent in some of those high drought levels. We'd be looking at multiple days of 20 to 30 millimetres of rain, and we're just not seeing that in the outlook," he said. David Campbell, head of the province's river forecast centre, told reporters that the northeast is experiencing Level 3 and 4 droughts, the highest level of severity. "We've really seen a cumulative lack of rainfall over the last one to two years, and that's really been a key driver in terms of ongoing and persistent drought in those regions," he said. As of June 1, Campbell says that the province is averaging around 44 per cent of normal snowpack levels, decreasing from 61 per cent recorded on May 15. Minister of Emergency Management Kelly Greene said at the news conference that 10 evacuation orders were in place, affecting approximately 120 households in the Peace River Regional District, Fort Nelson First Nation and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. Greene encouraged British Columbians to be prepared for emergencies this summer by gathering together things including several days of food and water, medications and important paperwork. "'I'm asking everyone to have a plan in place now, before there's an emergency. Now is the time to make sure you have your grab-and-go bag ready for you and your family, including any pets," she said. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, speaking at the news conference, said that B.C. had deployed over 100 wildland firefighters to the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. "We expect the majority of our people resources will be back in B.C. in the next week," he said. "We often look to June rains as an indicator of how severe our wildfire season will be," he added. "And although it's still early, models are showing that much of the province is trending towards warm and dry conditions and so we may not get the precipitation we're hoping for."
CBC
20 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Water shortage in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after apartment burns, displaces dozens
Social Sharing People in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., have been asked to temporarily stop using washing machines, dishwashers and sprinklers after a weekend apartment fire forced firefighters to draw heavily from the community's water supply. The blaze broke out on Saturday at the Spieker Apartments building and quickly engulfed 51 units. Flames also spread to nearby woods, which the public has been asked to stay away from because of the risk of weakened trees falling due to high winds. The fire came as nearby wildfires have forced evacuations and cut off road travel, fuelled in part by an ongoing drought that is entering its third year. Mayor Darryl Kakowka says there were no injuries reported in the fire, but that having so many people displaced in the small community of just over 2,300 people in northeast B.C. was impacting the entire municipality. "It's a pretty small, close-knit community and to me that is family," he said. "I want to make sure they know all the community is here for them." Food and clothing drives as well as fundraising efforts are well underway, but because of the small size of Tumbler Ridge, some displaced residents are having to seek support services in the neighbouring community of Dawson Creek, about 100 kilometres away by road. Additionally, the effort of fighting the fire — which included overnight monitoring for spot fires in the nearby woods over the weekend — have depleted the district's water supply. "Our water reservoirs are extremely low due to ongoing fire suppression efforts, and conservation is critical at this time," the district said in a written update posted to Facebook Sunday. "We are asking all residents to restrict water usage immediately, including indoor uses such as washing machines, dishwashers, and non-essential activities." The update also said the community is still working to get a clear picture of how many people have been displaced. Fire Chief Dustin Curry said the depletion was solely due to the apartment fire, as B.C. Wildfire Service crews use other water sources. Tumbler Ridge is among numerous communities in northeastern B.C. under significant wildfire threat as the region enters its third straight year of significant drought conditions, causing the area to be extremely susceptible to burns. Wildfire crews in the region are dealing with several significant blazes, including the nearby Kiskatinaw River wildfire, which has forced the evacuation of Kelly Lake, 81 kilometres east of Tumbler Ridge.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Your guide to B.C. wildfires 2025: Maps, evacuation orders, air quality and more
Poor internet connection? For more news updates, find the latest wildfire news and stories from CBC British Columbia. With parts of B.C. entering a third year of drought, wildfires are already forcing evacuations and threatening homes, primarily in the province's northeast. The following is a list of resources available to help get prepared for wildfires in advance, as well as how to find up-to-date local information on evacuation orders and alerts, road closures and air quality advisories as the season develops. Tracking wildfires in your region The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) provides a list of all current wildfires in the province, as well as an interactive map that allows you to see where the fires are burning relative to specific communities. It also maintains a daily dashboard that provides an overview of the provincial wildfire situation and forecast. Particular attention is paid to wildfires of note, which are "highly visible" or pose "a potential threat to public safety." Wildfires may also be classified as out of control, which means crews are not able to curb their spread. These fires may not necessarily pose a threat to public safety if they are far from homes or property. Regular updates are posted by the service on Facebook, X and YouTube, and it also offers an app through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Evacuation orders and alerts Local governments and First Nations are responsible for issuing evacuation orders and alerts during emergencies. An evacuation alert means you should be prepared to leave your property at a moment's notice. An evacuation order means you must leave the area immediately and are not allowed inside the area covered by the order. These are often enforced by police. WATCH | What's the difference between an order and an alert? Many local governments have set up text alert systems, which you can sign up for by visiting your municipal government website. Regional districts often take the lead when it comes to emergency situations. CivicInfo B.C. maintains a directory of regional districts. After a local government issues an evacuation order or alert, the information is posted online by Emergency Info B.C. Everyone affected by an evacuation order is asked to check in at a reception centre or via phone so officials can be sure they are safe. Understanding wildfire terminology In addition to wildfires of note and out of control wildfires, here are some other key terms you may hear: A wildfire is an unplanned fire that occurs in a wilderness area, away from people or structures. A prescribed burn is a planned and controlled use of fire. If it escapes its intended perimeter, it can also be considered a wildfire. An interface fire is one that has the potential to affect man-made structures and at the same time burn natural fuels such as trees and shrubs. In this situation, a house fire could jump to the forest or vice versa. When a fire is under control but still smouldering it is being held. A fire is considered contained when a fuel-free perimeter has been established around the blaze. You can find a full glossary of terms on the BCWS website. WATCH | A guide to common wildfire words: Be prepared to evacuate Officials recommend you prepare a grab-bag of key items, such as identification, medication and cellphones, so you are ready to leave at a moment's notice. If your home is under an evacuation alert, it is recommended you bring your grab-bag with you when you run errands or go to work, in case evacuation orders are issued while you're out and you're unable to return home. Prepared B.C. has a suggested packing list on its website, as does the federal government. Road closures You can check road conditions, closures, delays and detours by visiting the DriveBC website, maintained by the province's transportation ministry. If you do not have internet access, you can call 1-800-550-4997 toll free to find out current conditions. Accessing shelter and support If you are affected by an emergency situation, supports are in place so you have a place to sleep and can access food vouchers and receive financial aid. This information is collected on the B.C. government's emergency management website. The B.C. government has also introduced a $200 a night payment for evacuees to use toward hotel rooms. The money can be collected in person at emergency reception centres or via e-transfer by registering at You can create a profile in advance so you are prepared in case of an emergency. Insurance The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) says all standard homeowner and tenant insurance policies cover damage caused by fires and also provide coverage to help with the cost of mass evacuations. It has put together a help page with information for evacuees hoping to file a claim. IBC advises anyone forced to flee to make a list of damaged or destroyed items and keep receipts for expenses they incur. The more details, it says, the better when it comes to making a claim. The bureau also recommends getting your insurance claim started as soon as possible. Burn bans and restrictions The B.C. government provides a list of all fire bans and restrictions. Not all burn bans include a ban on campfires: Open burning bans may restrict the use of burn barrels or fireworks, for example, while still allowing for smaller controlled campfires. You can learn more about the different categories of burn bans on the B.C. government's open burning page. To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, you can call 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on a cellphone. Air quality Even if flames aren't an imminent threat, smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds of kilometres and affect people's health. B.C.'s Ministry of Environment issues air quality advisories and smoky skies bulletins on its website, which are also distributed as public weather alerts by Environment Canada and through social media channels. The B.C. government provides an air quality health index and map that use data from monitoring stations across the province. You can also sign up for air quality advisories and smoky skies bulletins for your region through email or text message on the province's B.C. Air Quality website. Additionally, researchers at the University of Northern British Columbia have partnered with Environment and Climate Change Canada to create a crowdsourced map using air quality monitors from across the country. Causes: lightning vs. human activity The causes of wildfires in B.C. are divided into two broad categories: lightning and human activity. The BCWS says, on average, 60 per cent of all wildfires in the province are caused by lightning. WATCH | An intense August 2023 lightning storm: Human-caused wildfires are all fires that are not the result of lightning. This can include fires set deliberately or by accident, including through campfires, sparks from railways or industrial activity, discarded cigarettes, fireworks or lanterns. The BCWS and other law enforcement agencies may all be involved in investigating human-caused wildfires, and investigations can take months to complete. Protect your home through FireSmart B.C. FireSmart B.C. is a program aimed at preventing wildfires with tools aimed at First Nations, local governments and fire departments. It offers a series of guides for individuals on how to manage the landscape around homes and properties to decrease the risk of wildfires causing damage, including landscaping guides and tips on maintaining your home to be as fire-resistant as possible. WATCH | West Kelowna fire chief wants focus on preventing future blazes: Helping others The BCWS says it cannot accept donations of food, supplies or equipment, nor can individual members. Instead, it suggests those wishing to help work with organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, which has launched an appeal to help support people affected by wildfires. The Red Cross says financial donations are the best way to help, so resources can be directed where they are needed and not go to waste. Canadians wishing to make a donation can do so online at or by calling 1-800-418-1111. You can check for verified charities through CanadaHelps. WATCH | How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke:
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Your guide to B.C. wildfires 2025: Maps, evacuation orders, air quality and more
Social Sharing With parts of B.C. entering a third year of drought, wildfires are already forcing evacuations and threatening homes, primarily in the province's northeast. The following is a list of resources available to help get prepared for wildfires in advance, as well as how to find up-to-date local information on evacuation orders and alerts, road closures and air quality advisories as the season develops. Tracking wildfires in your region The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) provides a list of all current wildfires in the province, as well as an interactive map that allows you to see where the fires are burning relative to specific communities. It also maintains a daily dashboard that provides an overview of the provincial wildfire situation and forecast. Particular attention is paid to wildfires of note, which are "highly visible" or pose "a potential threat to public safety." Wildfires may also be classified as out of control, which means crews are not able to curb their spread. These fires may not necessarily pose a threat to public safety if they are far from homes or property. Regular updates are posted by the service on Facebook, X and YouTube, and it also offers an app through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Evacuation orders and alerts Local governments and First Nations are responsible for issuing evacuation orders and alerts during emergencies. An evacuation alert means you should be prepared to leave your property at a moment's notice. An evacuation order means you must leave the area immediately and are not allowed inside the area covered by the order. These are often enforced by police. Many local governments have set up text alert systems, which you can sign up for by visiting your municipal government website. Regional districts often take the lead when it comes to emergency situations. CivicInfo B.C. maintains a directory of regional districts. After a local government issues an evacuation order or alert, the information is posted online by Emergency Info B.C. Everyone affected by an evacuation order is asked to check in at a reception centre or via phone so officials can be sure they are safe. Understanding wildfire terminology In addition to wildfires of note and out of control wildfires, here are some other key terms you may hear: A wildfire is an unplanned fire that occurs in a wilderness area, away from people or structures. A prescribed burn is a planned and controlled use of fire. If it escapes its intended perimeter, it can also be considered a wildfire. An interface fire is one that has the potential to affect man-made structures and at the same time burn natural fuels such as trees and shrubs. In this situation, a house fire could jump to the forest or vice versa. When a fire is under control but still smouldering it is being held. A fire is considered contained when a fuel-free perimeter has been established around the blaze. You can find a full glossary of terms on the BCWS website. Be prepared to evacuate Officials recommend you prepare a grab-bag of key items, such as identification, medication and cellphones, so you are ready to leave at a moment's notice. If your home is under an evacuation alert, it is recommended you bring your grab-bag with you when you run errands or go to work, in case evacuation orders are issued while you're out and you're unable to return home. Prepared B.C. has a suggested packing list on its website, as does the federal government. Road closures You can check road conditions, closures, delays and detours by visiting the DriveBC website, maintained by the province's transportation ministry. If you do not have internet access, you can call 1-800-550-4997 toll free to find out current conditions. Accessing shelter and support If you are affected by an emergency situation, supports are in place so you have a place to sleep and can access food vouchers and receive financial aid. This information is collected on the B.C. government's emergency management website. The B.C. government has also introduced a $200 a night payment for evacuees to use toward hotel rooms. The money can be collected in person at emergency reception centres or via e-transfer by registering at You can create a profile in advance so you are prepared in case of an emergency. Insurance The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) says all standard homeowner and tenant insurance policies cover damage caused by fires and also provide coverage to help with the cost of mass evacuations. It has put together a help page with information for evacuees hoping to file a claim. IBC advises anyone forced to flee to make a list of damaged or destroyed items and keep receipts for expenses they incur. The more details, it says, the better when it comes to making a claim. The bureau also recommends getting your insurance claim started as soon as possible. Burn bans and restrictions The B.C. government provides a list of all fire bans and restrictions. Not all burn bans include a ban on campfires: Open burning bans may restrict the use of burn barrels or fireworks, for example, while still allowing for smaller controlled campfires. You can learn more about the different categories of burn bans on the B.C. government's open burning page. To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, you can call 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on a cellphone. Air quality Even if flames aren't an imminent threat, smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds of kilometres and affect people's health. B.C.'s Ministry of Environment issues air quality advisories and smoky skies bulletins on its website, which are also distributed as public weather alerts by Environment Canada and through social media channels. The B.C. government provides an air quality health index and map that use data from monitoring stations across the province. You can also sign up for air quality advisories and smoky skies bulletins for your region through email or text message on the province's B.C. Air Quality website. Additionally, researchers at the University of Northern British Columbia have partnered with Environment and Climate Change Canada to create a crowdsourced map using air quality monitors from across the country. Causes: lightning vs. human activity The causes of wildfires in B.C. are divided into two broad categories: lightning and human activity. The BCWS says, on average, 60 per cent of all wildfires in the province are caused by lightning. WATCH | An intense August 2023 lightning storm: More than a dozen lightning strikes in under a minute filmed in Prince George, B.C. 2 years ago Duration 0:51 The B.C. Wildfire Service says more than 2,500 lightning strikes were recorded between the evening of July 20 and morning of July 21 in the Prince George Fire Centre, which covers the northeastern quadrant of the province. Human-caused wildfires are all fires that are not the result of lightning. This can include fires set deliberately or by accident, including through campfires, sparks from railways or industrial activity, discarded cigarettes, fireworks or lanterns. The BCWS and other law enforcement agencies may all be involved in investigating human-caused wildfires, and investigations can take months to complete. Protect your home through FireSmart B.C. FireSmart B.C. is a program aimed at preventing wildfires with tools aimed at First Nations, local governments and fire departments. It offers a series of guides for individuals on how to manage the landscape around homes and properties to decrease the risk of wildfires causing damage, including landscaping guides and tips on maintaining your home to be as fire-resistant as possible. WATCH | West Kelowna fire chief wants focus on preventing future blazes: After disastrous 2023, West Kelowna fire chief wants funding to focus on fire prevention 1 year ago Duration 3:45 It's been eight months since catastrophic fires tore through West Kelowna, destroying hundreds of homes. For West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund, there are important lessons to learn, particularly in the area of mitigation work to remove wildfire fuels in forested areas. CBC's Sarah Penton met up with Brolund in a regional park that was hit by the McDougall Creek fire last August. Helping others The BCWS says it cannot accept donations of food, supplies or equipment, nor can individual members. Instead, it suggests those wishing to help work with organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, which has launched an appeal to help support people affected by wildfires. The Red Cross says financial donations are the best way to help, so resources can be directed where they are needed and not go to waste. Canadians wishing to make a donation can do so online at or by calling 1-800-418-1111. You can check for verified charities through CanadaHelps.
CBC
30-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Tracking wildfires and air quality in B.C.
B.C. has experienced some of its worst wildfire seasons on record in recent years. And with ongoing drought conditions, particularly in northeast B.C., officials are warning of another active season. Here is an up-to-date look at the province's current wildfire situation.
