(Vancouver) Heavy rains that hit parts of British Columbia over the weekend have reduced wildfire activity in the southern part of the province, but firefighters say high winds are creating risks for trees.
BC Wildfire Service says in its latest update that the number of active fires in the province has dropped to about 311, continuing a downward trend.
The wildfire service says while much of southern B.C. received rain and some parts saw heavy precipitation, it was accompanied by winds gusting up to 102 km/h.
The wind “broke down trees along fire lines in the south” and forced a fire camp in Invermere, B.C., to move to another location, but BC Wildfire says no one was injured.
The number of out-of-control wildfires in the province has fallen to about 87, with 28 per cent of B.C.’s active fires now contained and 44 per cent classified as “under control.”
The Corya Creek wildfire, located about 170 kilometres northeast of Terrace, B.C., remains the only notable wildfire in the province, meaning the fire is either highly visible or a threat to public safety.
BC Wildfire says more than 10,000 square kilometres of land have burned in British Columbia during this year’s fire season, which began on March 1.er april.
This follows a record wildfire season in 2023, where more than 28,000 square kilometres of land burned, forcing the evacuation of communities in regions including the Okanagan and Shuswap.
Environment Canada is forecasting possible precipitation across the province early in the week, but most areas of British Columbia will see a return to warmer, drier weather heading into the Labour Day weekend.