The BC Wildfire Service says 15 new fires started on Tuesday, bringing the current total to 152.
Since April 1st, 787 blazes have burned nearly 380,000 hectares of land and suppression costs have risen to $145.2 million.
Hanceville/Riske Creek = 132,000 ha. White Lake, NW of WL, 8,107 ha – crews working on machines guards + hot spots
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 26, 2017
Wildwood complex, E of WL, 12,987 ha, slightly smaller than yesterday but due to more accurate mapping
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 26, 2017
Elephant Hill, N of Cache Creek, 61,500 ha + 30% contained. Significant increase in fire behaviour yesterday led to evac orders in the area
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 26, 2017
Chief Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek says public safety and keeping the highways as open as possible for evacuations continue to be top priorities.
“Right now, we have over 4,500 personnel, firefighters, and support staff, which includes nearly 800 from out-of-province as well as over 2,000 contractors from the forest industry. We also currently have 188 aircraft working to support our ground crews in terms of these fires.”
The province-wide state of emergency has forced 45,000 evacuees to register with the Red Cross BC Fires Appeal campaign, and the number could rise later this week.
According to Skrepnek, the weather forecast isn’t looking much better as hot, dry conditions are expected to bolster wildfire season.
“There’s a potential for lightning activity, which is going to come with rain for the northern parts of BC, but we are expecting lightning in the south and that is not going to be coming with any precipitation. We are expecting there is going to be a number of new fires starting at a result.”
44 evacuation alerts and 29 evacuation orders still in effect. Emergency Management BC working w/ local govs #CityofPG and #Kamloops
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 26, 2017
He says 40-kilometre winds are expected, which could cause new fires to spread rapidly.
Residents in affected areas are asked to stay up-to-date on the current situation and to be prepared for more possible evacuations.
Any lightning strikes could start new fires. Call *5555 if you see a fire.
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 26, 2017
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