Smoke gets in your skies

NEWS/ WILDFIRES — A Smoky Skies Advisory was in effect for Kamloops and other Interior regions  this afternoon (Tuesday) as more help headed towards B.C. for the battle against wildfires.

The advisory is a new alert being tested by the Ministry of Environment and Interior Health Authority to improve communication on wildfire smoke. It’s issued when smoke concentrations reach levels deemed a concern for human health.

Current smoke levels in Kamloops are rated as a moderate risk. The advisory covers the North and South Thompson, Fraser Canyon, Nicola and Shuswap areas.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said today 70 personnel will be arriving from Ontario to assist with B.C.’s firefighting efforts.

As a result of the continued extreme and high fire danger ratings in regions throughout B.C., fire bans have been implemented around the province.

Sixty-three sustained-action firefighters and seven other specialized personnel from Ontario were expected to arrive in Abbotsford and Cranbrook today. They will be deployed throughout the Coastal Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre, based on current fire activity and projected need.

In addition, two amphibious skimming aircraft, one birddog aircraft and an air attack officer from Ontario will arrive in Kamloops today.

There were 23 new fires in B.C. yesterday. There are now 184 active fires within the province (of these, 18 are active fires of note), with eight evacuation alerts/orders currently in effect.

The B.C. Wildfire Service has responded to 887 wildfires so far this season. As of today, about 40 homes in the province were on evacuation order with about 920 homes on evacuation alert.

The government has a standing offer in place that allows for use of the controversial Martin Mars water bomber “in certain circumstances.”

A government statement said the big bomber isn’t available for its use from July 20 to July 31. “Due to its size, the Mars water bomber can land only on and scoop up water from about 113 bodies of water in B.C., as opposed to the 1,700 lakes that the skimmers currently in use can access.

“The Martin Mars cannot drop long-term fire retardant, which is critical in B.C.’s terrain and firefighting conditions as fire retardant slows the growth of wildfires and allows ground crews to safely contain them.”