Nearly 30% of the forested area in the Prince George Fire Centre, covering northeastern British Columbia, is projected to be consumed by wildfires by the end of this year, according to officials. Forest Minister Ravi Parmar disclosed that wildfires have already ravaged almost 7,000 square kilometers in the region since June, the highest among all six fire centers in British Columbia. The emotional and physical toll on residents from displacement, smoke, and uncertainty has been significant, stated Parmar during his recent visit to the fire-affected zone.
Over the last two fire seasons, wildfires have scorched more forested land in the region than in the past six decades combined, accounting for 10% of the area. The Prince George Fire Centre, sprawling over 330,000 square kilometers, is ten times larger than Vancouver Island and has experienced some of the most devastating wildfires in the province, such as the record-breaking 2023 Donnie Creek wildfire.
The region faced evacuations, including the displacement of thousands of Fort Nelson residents and the Fort Nelson First Nation due to the Parker Lake wildfire last May. Parmar praised the community’s vigilance in fire prevention efforts. Experts attribute the fire conditions to prolonged drought and a changing climate, with the northeast region enduring a multi-year drought, making the boreal and sub-boreal forests highly susceptible to intense fires due to their deep organic soils.
These fires can smolder underground through winter and reignite in the following seasons, known as “holdover” fires, posing challenges for firefighting efforts. The intense fires can create their weather systems, exacerbating the fire situation without providing any rain. The dry conditions have caused fires to burn deeply into the soil, complicating extinguishing efforts.
The B.C. Wildfire Service is constantly pre-positioning crews and equipment in the area to combat new fires and manage existing ones. Parmar emphasized the province’s commitment to bolster firefighting resources year-round and collaborate with First Nations on prescribed and cultural burning practices for mitigation. The province remains vigilant, hoping for the best while preparing for potential wildfire emergencies by allocating necessary resources to safeguard communities.