Hot start to season: Over 100 wildfires in B.C. this spring

The B.C. Wildfire Service says there’s been more than 100 wildfires around the province this spring.

The agency said a cool, dry spring delayed the green-up and the drought conditions over the winter have combined to result in fine fuels that are quite susceptible to ignition .

Those conditions, as well as the recent above-seasonal temperatures, have resulted in 115 wildfires, 104 of which were human-caused, igniting throughout the province between April 1 and May 4.

The total outnumber the 82 over the same period of 2022, and the 10 year average of 110 fires between April 1 and May 4.

The wildfire service added the fire activity this year has burned a total of 1,252 hectares.

That is up from the 338 hectares torched last year, but well below the 10 year average for the same time frame of 3,063 hectares.

Data for specific fire areas was not provided in the update Thursday, May 4.

The Wildfire Service warns the weather is expected to remain hot and dry over the weekend for most of the province, but the southern region is expected to see temperatures cool and localized precipitation next week.

The fire danger rating for the majority of the Interior, including the Okanagan, was ranked as moderate as of Wednesday, May 3.