Hot, dry conditions to persist this week, increasing fire risk

Jun 26, 2017 | 3:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a hot weekend in Kamloops and around the province, breaking heat records in places like Lytton and areas on the Coast. But with the rising temperatures has come an increased fire risk. 

There were 19 new fire starts across the province over the weekend. In the Kamloops region, there are eight active fires but none pose a significant risk. 

“There is a 0.63 hectare fire burning close to Skaha Lake [in Penticton]. There are currently six firefighters fighting that fire,” said fire information officer Ryan Turcot. “Over the weekend, the B.C. Wildfire Service did respond to a fire burning 40 kilometres south of Lac La Hache. At this point in time, the fire is 36 hectares in size and is being considered as held.”

With conditions quickly drying out and more hot weather on the way this week, the B.C. Wildfire Service is cautioning people that it won’t take much to start a new fire. 

“And once those new fires do start, it doesn’t take very long for them to move around, and the forecast for this week is calling for some windier conditions as well, which could be a factor in how quickly a fire could spread,” said Turcot. “With that said, we are urging the public at this time of year to do everything they can to help prevent human-caused fires. Every human-caused fire that starts is diverting resources away from the natural ones we can’t prevent.”