Not only is smoke from wildfires a health hazard, it’s also challenging firefighters as they try to fight the many blazes that are active in B.C. this summer.
Kevin Skrepnek, Chief Information Officer with the BC Wildfire Service said this morning that the smoke is making things difficult due to decreased visibility. Mainly, it is affecting their ability to detect new wildfires and respond to them right away.
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
He say they can almost guarantee that there are more fires burning at this moment than they know of. Skrepnek added that there may be more lightning caused fires from over the weekend, and they may not be large but they are there.
Whether or not we will see the smoke clear anytime soon depends how the winds shifts. Skrepnek says that they are bracing for the smoke to remain for the foreseeable future.
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.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 14, 2018
For more info visit: https://t.co/aeGGNEat0L pic.twitter.com/QFDwGrPsjY
Smoke seems to be the main concern for firefighters, but they are watching the weather closely.
There are any significant cold fronts expected to move through the province, however, there is some potential for some instability.
Skrepnek said that conditions are expected to remain static for today and tomorrow. Winds are forecasted to remain light, but there is a chance of lightning today and tomorrow, and unfortunately it’s likely to be dry lightning. Winds may also become more aggressive in some areas like the Chilcotin.
The silver lining is that smoke is lowering temperatures, and winds are expected to be light in much of the province today.
There is some potential for some instability on Friday and going into the weekend as well, bringing more winds and potential for more lightning activity.
There is a “glimmer of hope” that by sunday monday the southeastern part of B.C. could see some rain, which would certainly be welcome there, but Skrepnek says that forecasting rain that far in advance is “tricky at best.”
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