Wildfire smoke helps firefighters tackle blazes

While firefighters continue to battle 152 active blazes across the province, the smoke may help crews to extinguish them.

At a press conference in Victoria, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, together with the BC Wildfire Service, says that the smoke blanketing some regions acts like cloud cover — blocking the sun during the day and allowing the air to cool at night.

However, he also says that the forecast for the days to come is concerning.

“Based on the forecast, heat is expected to continue through the weekend with temperatures reaching 10 degrees above normal in some areas, with no significant rain forecasted,” Parmar said.

Additionally, lightning will pose a threat in the next couple of days, as lightning is the major source of igniting wildfires.

“Although we are not expecting a significant lightning event in the next couple of days, lightning is expected to return to the coast later this week,” Parmar said.

He explains that parts of the province have seen record-breaking temperatures this summer.

No rain, coupled with over 6000 lightning strikes, has caused a spike in wildfires in recent days.

Over three-quarters of wildfires currently burning in the province are suspected to have been caused by lightning.

The BC wildfire service says 12 fires started between Tuesday and Wednesday, while 24 were declared as put out.

With files from Ben Bouguerra.