B.C.’s wildfire season surpasses 1958 record for amount of land burned
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — British Columbia’s wildfires have destroyed a record amount of forest, brush and grassland, surpassing the devastation of nearly 60 years ago.
Kevin Skrepnek with the BC Wildfire Service said about 8,944 square kilometres have been scorched by fires, breaking the previous record of 8,550 square kilometres, set in 1958.
With no rain in the forecast for the wildfire-ravaged southern parts of the province, Skrepnek said more land will be burned.
“Temperatures should be relatively seasonal going forward, so that’s one silver lining,” he said. “But the presence of wind and the lack of rain are going to be much more critical factors.”