Heatwave raises fire danger to ‘extreme’

NEWS — A summer heatwave that will bring daytime highs close to 40C in Kamloops over the next few days comes with an “extreme” fire danger rating in the Kamloops Fire Centre and a call for extra firefighters.

High temperatures will range from 37C today (Saturday) to a scorching 39C next Wednesday and Thursday before dropping slightly to the mid-30s, where it will remain for another week. There will be little to no rain in Kamloops but there might be some thunderstorm activity around southwestern B.C.

The rest of the province is experiencing similar weather conditions. Several areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre are experiencing an “extreme” fire danger rating, with the remainder of the region rated as “moderate” to “high.”

So far this year in the Kamloops Fire Centre, the Wildfire Management Branch has responded to 123 wildfires that have burned more than 349 hectares. There are currently more than 295 personnel fighting wildfires in the province and 60 of them are working on the 14 active fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

B.C.’s Wildfire Management Branch has asked for 21 out-of-province personnel to help with fire suppression efforts here.

One Incident Management Team from Ontario and other specialized personnel will arrive in B.C. on Sunday and will initially be stationed in Kamloops. They’ll be deployed elsewhere as needed.

A week ago, B.C. was sending help to the Northwest Territories. Firefighting crews will be on standby in all six of B.C.’s fire centres in preparation for an expected increase in fire starts.

Firefighters are busy throughout the province and elsewhere. A fire burning on the edge of Banff National Park in Alberta was drifting towards Golden, Invermere and Radium Hot Springs on Friday. The size of the fire is estimated at 5,000 hectares.

The Red Creek fire southeast of Tumbler Ridge had covered an estimated 4,500 hectares by Friday and was being fought with 120 firefighters, five helicopters and 10 pieces of heavy equipment.

To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on your cellphone.