B.C. crews move to ‘mop up’ stage on many wildfires, drought persists in the north

Aug 23, 2024 | 10:36 AM

British Columbia’s wildfire service says rain and cooler temperatures have helped crews turn the corner on a number of larger blazes, especially in the south.

The latest bulletin from the service says several fires in that region are now classified as under control or “being held” within their existing perimeters.

The service says many fires are in the “mop-up” stage, when crews move in to douse the edges of a blaze with water in order to fully contain it.

Still, it says recent rainfall has not been enough to alleviate severe drought across many areas of the province, and it’s still an active wildfire season.