BC Government: Southeast Fire Centre crews making steady progress

Press Release

August 21, 2018

CASTLEGAR – Between July 19 and Aug. 19, 2018, there were 324 new wildfire starts in the Southeast Fire Centre, 90% of which were caused by lightning.

BC Wildfire Service personnel are making steady progress on these wildfires, despite challenging weather conditions and heightened fire danger ratings in the region.

Of these 324 wildfires, 177 have been declared out, 28 are under control, 24 are being held and 95 remain classified as out of control. This means that less than 30% of the wildfires that started in the Southeast Fire Centre during this one-month period remain out of control. Of those fires, 34 are currently in modified response and 38 are monitor-only fires. The successes that the Southeast Fire Centre has experienced on these fires have allowed it to focus its resources on the 23 remaining priority fires that are receiving sustained action.

Considering the heightened wildfire activity experienced in the Southeast Fire Centre this past month, the progress that has been made on these fires is significant. Crews continue to work extremely hard toward suppressing the remaining fires.

To better understand some of the response strategies used in wildfire management, please refer to the definitions below:

Full Response – Sustained

• This refers to a wildfire that requires aggressive, sustained suppression action until the fire is declared out. Such a wildfire is not expected to “be held” in the first 72 hours after it is detected.

Full Response – Modified

• A modified response fire is managed using a combination of suppression techniques. These include direct and indirect attack, and monitoring the fire to steer, contain or otherwise manage fire activity within a predetermined perimeter, so that costs and/or damage are minimized and/or benefits from the fire are maximized.

Full Response – Monitor-Only

• This is a wildfire that is observed and assessed to determine an appropriate response that will minimize social disruption and/or significant impacts on values and resources, while also achieving beneficial ecological, economic or resource management objectives.

The BC Wildfire Service thanks the public for their diligence in reporting wildfires and their support for B.C.’s firefighters.

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

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

• On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Learn More:

For more information about wildfires in your area, please visit the Interactive Wildfire Map section of the BC Wildfire Service website: www.bcwildfire.ca

Information about fire danger ratings is available online: http://gov.bc.ca/wildfiredanger

Information about how to be prepared if an evacuation alert or evacuation order is issued for your area is available on the PreparedBC website: http://ow.ly/IMN130lf9PI

Contacts:

Ashley Davidoff
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4014

Carlee Kachman
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4056

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