Northeastern B.C. wildfires improving, but too early to lift evacuation orders: officials

The B.C. government says the wildfire situation in northeastern B.C. is improving.

However, the danger is far from over in the Fort Nelson area and the evacuation order for the municipality and the local First Nation still stands.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bowinn Ma said 125 fires are burning in B.C., with most of them in the northeastern region and most under control.

1:49 Cooler temps, rain helping fend off wildfires in Western Canada

Rainfall and cooler temperatures have somewhat suppressed the Patry Creek and Parker Lake fires threatening Fort Nelson, but both are still out of control and it’s too early to talk about lifting the evacuation orders.

“Gratefully, our worst fears have not materialized. But I want to be extremely clear: We are not out of the woods, there is not enough rain (in the) forecast to offset the prolonged drought conditions or extinguish the fires naturally,” Ma said.

“And the May long weekend will be a challenging situation for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and the Peace River Regional District.”

The BC Wildfire Service says campers seem to be following the message regarding fire safety, and officials said they are seeing significantly fewer fires started by campfires.

1:59 Rain and cooler temperatures helps northern B.C. fire fight

So far, there are no campfire bans in any region of B.C., although Whistler and Pemberton have imposed bans.

“The conditions in the northeast and the Prince George fire centres and stretching south as well, they are extremely dry, and we are experiencing fuel drought we haven’t seen for a long time, if ever, in British Columbia,” said Cliff Chapman, provincial operations director with the BC Wildfire Service.

“Because of that, we’re seeing extreme fire behaviour in and around some of the fires.”