A week ago, the Kamloops Fire Centre responded to five industry-caused wildfires.
As a result the Centre issued the following bulletin to those involved in the forest industry and other stakeholders: “Due to isolated precipitation, not all weather stations may reflect the true hazard conditions within operating areas. The Wildfire Management Branch wants to ensure that its industry partners are diligently assessing local weather conditions to help prevent wildfires. Please pay particular attention to the Fire Danger Class rating in your area, ensure that you are using the representative weather station data for the area where you’re operating and adhere to the shutdown formulas outlined in the Restrictions on High Risk Activities. Remember: If you see or cause a wildfire, you have an obligation to report it and (if practical) take action with available resources and extinguish it. Please ensure that you carry out your industrial operations in accordance with the Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation.”
The Centre states that after a period of higher temperatures and little precipitation, there is an intensified risk of wildfires. These conditions mean that several areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre are experiencing a “high” fire danger rating, with the remainder of the region rated “moderate.”
Since April 1, 2015, the Wildfire Management Branch has responded to 58 wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre that have burned over 358 hectares. All but one of these fires are suspected to be human-caused and were therefore preventable.
Since the rest of the province is experiencing similar conditions, these fires serve as a reminder to everyone to be extremely cautious and vigilant when carrying out industrial activities.
More information about wildfire prevention is available at www.bcwildfire.ca.
To report a wildfire, please call *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.