Provincial Wildfire Situation: There are 48 wildfires of note in B.C.

The BC Wildfire Service has their work cut out for them once again this year.

Officials from the Province spoke to media this morning about the current wildfire situation, and there are some real challenges going forwards as crews work to get these fires under control. So far, wildfires have burned 381, 000 hectares this season.

There are more than 560 fires actively burning in the province, 31 of which started yesterday, and 48 of which are wildfires of note. Those noteworthy fires are either highly visible, or are posing a threat to communities.

Wildfires have prompted 29 evacuation orders, affecting around 3,050 people, as well as 48 evacuation alerts that have 18,720 people across the province ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice.

So far, after responding to 1,821 fires since April 1, 2018, the BC WIldfire Service has spent $214,000, 000 on suppression efforts. This time last year, they had spent $332, 000, 000.

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B.C. has enlisted the help of firefighters from outside Canada as well as from other provinces.

Weather isn’t looking like it will helpful in the response to the many fires crews are dealing with. Kevin Skrepnek, Chief Information Officer for the BC Wildfire Service, says that smoke is a big concern for them right now.

He said that while the smoke is keeping temperatures cooler, it is posing some challenges when it comes to being able to detect new fires. He also guarantees that there are active fires burning, though they may be small, that they have not been able to detect yet due to visibility.

We’re here to help you, B.C. @CanadianForces troops are headed your way to assist with the wildfires. #bcwildfire pic.twitter.com/CLCWFI6AqP

— CAF Operations (@CFOperations) August 15, 2018

The instability we are expecting going into this weekend is also a concern, as there is no significant rainfall expected in the near future, and there is a potential for dry lightning in the southern part of the province.

Skrepnek also provided some insight into how this fire season compares to the summer of 2017. Although this time last year there were only 155 active fires, compared to the more than 560 fires right now, the fires in 2017 quite a bit bigger.

With over 560 fires now burning, BC continues to experience heightened #BCwildfire activity. 3370 personnel are supporting ongoing wildfire response efforts. As much of BC is in a high to extreme fire danger rating, please remain vigilant and do your part to prevent wildfires. pic.twitter.com/w2lgh5aCmj

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 15, 2018

The largest fire on their list this season is the Shovel Lake wildfire, which is over 50,000 hectares.

Due to the threat that the wildfire are posing to residents, a provincial state of emergency has been issued. Officials recalled only three other years that they had to take this measure, including last year during the unprecedented fire season.

A planned ignition took place today on the west side of the ~35,100 ha Shovel Lake #BCwildfire burning NW of Endako. Smoke from these operations was highly visible in the Hanson Road area. The Cunningham FSR remains open.

For more info visit: https://t.co/aeGGNEat0L pic.twitter.com/QFDwGrPsjY

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 14, 2018

For the latest on specific wildfires actively burning in B.C., click here.

Pictured below is the Narcosli Creek #BCwildfire (C12302), where burn operations are currently underway. pic.twitter.com/OJv4SC4sSD

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 11, 2018