By Greg Fry

BC Wildfire Service warns of ‘overwintering fires’

Apr 30, 2018 | 10:49 AM

KAMLOOPS — With warmer temperatures in the forecast, the BC Wildfire Service is warning residents in the Interior to be on the alert for “overwintering” fires.

An overwintering fire is a remnant of previous wildfire activity, says Fire Information Officer Claire Allen.

“Given the extent of the drought we were experiencing in the 2017 season, it’s possible that the fires that burned very intensely were able to go and burn deep down into the organic soil layers…. and it’s possible that it can smoulder and remain dormant underground all winter long.”

As a result, she says as we’re moving into spring and summer weather, it’s possible that hot spots from overwintering fires can re-emerge with the warm and dry conditions returning.

Allen says the BC Wildfire Service expects any overwintering fires to occur in both the Kamloops and Cariboo fire centres.

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“Now, it really is important to note that if these hot spots from overwintering fires do emerge, it’s likely they’ll be deep within the existing fire perimeter and it’s very important to know that this poses a low risk to communities, given the fact that any wildfire activity adjacent to communities or critical infrastructure was extensively patrolled by BC Wildfire Service and contract crews last summer,” she says, adding they also used thermal imaging technology to assess for any hot spots in those critical areas and close to communities.

Allen encourages anyone who sees a wildfire or smoke to call, toll-free, 1 (800) 663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.