It’s a story of how dry it is in the Okanagan as teams battled two early-season wildfires this weekend. wildfires this weekend.
A wildfire started in the Creighton Valley area just outside Lumby, B.C., on Sunday afternoon.
“We can see snow all around us, but the south-facing slope is very dry,” said Lumby Fire Chief Tony Clayton.
The fire quickly grew to about three hectares before firefighters stopped it from growing bigger.
By Sunday evening, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the fire was ‘being held’ and not likely to spread beyond certain boundaries.
“(It was an) complete surprise to be honest. It's really early in the year for something like this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before, actually,” said Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton.
In the South Okanagan, the Penticton Indian Band dealt with a wildfire on Sunday night near Fish Lake Road in Summerland.
The fire's size is unknown, but it was being held just hours after it was first found.
“That sends a pretty strong message, having a fire like that this time of year – in March – it sends a pretty strong message that it is dry out there,” said Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes.
“We had drought conditions last year and they are expanding into this year, so it is going to be a super, super dry spring and summer, and people have to be extra careful.”
Both wildfires on Sunday are thought to be caused by humans, and fire officials are urging people to be extra careful.
“If you are doing any burning, whether it’s having a campfire or Category 2 or Category 3 open burn, make sure that you’re using caution,” said Kamloops Fire Centre Information Officer Melaine Bibeau.
“And definitely, if people are recreating in the backcountry, using dirt bikes or anything like that, again, just practicing that vigilance. Making sure that when you’re in drier areas, you’re aware of your surroundings and also if you are recreating in the backcountry, if you see smoke, we definitely encourage people to call it in.”
The provincial government warns there will likely be an early start to the 2024 wildfire season given the current conditions across B.C.
According to B.C.’s Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma, the province is taking action earlier than ever to better prepare for what they believe will be recurring and worsening emergencies.
“Preparations for this year’s wildfire season are already well underway,” said Ma in a press release.
“We have seen the devastating consequences of climate change on our communities, and we are using lessons learned from last year to strengthen our approach to emergencies. By taking a whole-of-government approach and working with local governments, First Nations, and emergency-response partners, we can ensure we are as prepared as possible for whatever might come.”
While officials jump into action early, people are also being asked to do their part – to prepare now for wildfire season.
