With the May long weekend upon us, the provincial government is encouraging British Columbians to be fire-smart this weekend.
B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management Bowinn Ma is urging people to be careful with their own fire activity and be on the lookout for potential wildfires.
People should still get out and enjoy all that B.C. has to offer, but you need to be informed, she added.
“Know before you go. Visit emergencyinfo bc.ca for information about where the latest emergencies are occurring in the province. Visit drivebc.ca For information about highway impacts and closures and visit the BC Wildfire Service app to know where the fires are,” Ma explained.
The hardest hit area of the province continues to be the northeast, specifically around Fort Nelson, the government explained in its wildfire update Friday.
“The Parker Lake wildfire which started on May 10, is approximately 12,300 hectares and located just one kilometer west of the town of Fort Nelson,” Ma explained.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says while cooler temperatures in recent days have helped crews get a handle on the out of control wildfires that threaten the community, the area remains under a severe drought — and fire officials expect the area to remain highly receptive to fires heading into the summer.
“Thankfully, the area has seen some rain in the last 24 to 48 hours, and temperatures have remained low overnight, lowering the risk of spread. Gratefully, our worst fears have not materialized,” Ma said.
“But, I want to be extremely clear — we are not out of the woods. There is not enough rain forecasted to offset the prolonged drought conditions or extinguish the fires naturally.”
Ma says the BCWS and the province’s main focus is saving lives and protecting structures.
“Local fire crews and fire departments from communities throughout the province are doing everything that they can do to protect homes and the community.”
Ma thanked the community of Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, and Prince George for “stepping up” and helping evacuees.
“We have heard stories of residents opening their hearts and homes, sharing their spaces for cultural activities and donating pet food and other necessities. We are all in this together and this community spirit means so much to those who have been evacuated,” she said.
While light rain has helped the firefighting effort in Fort Nelson, Ma says now is not the time for vacationers and tourists to be heading to the Northern Rockies area.
“The province is very big, and we encourage people to travel to enjoy the May long weekend, and to do it safely.”