Fire officials in B.C. are urging campers to exercise caution with campfires this long weekend to prevent human-caused wildfires.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says last week’s record-high temperatures, widespread lightning storms and a dramatic spike in wildfire activity show how quickly the situation can take a devastating turn.
Kevin Skrepnek, a spokesman for the B.C. Wildfire Service, said Thursday that crews were putting out the fires from last week and that there were no major wildfires of concern, thanks to cooler, wet weather.
So far this season, crews have responded to 568 wildfires in B.C., of which about 40 per cent are believed to have been caused by people.
In a statement, B.C. Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson said last summer’s horrific wildfire season highlights the need to always be vigilant. He urged anyone lighting a campfire or camping near forests to be extra careful.
