Since April 1, 2014, the Cariboo Fire Centre has responded to seven wildfires that have burned about 20 hectares. All of these fires were human-caused and the result of careless fire use.

The Cariboo Fire Centre urges the public to use caution and pay attention to weather conditions when conducting open burns. As this week’s incidents demonstrate, almost all fires that start at this time of the year are human-caused and are therefore preventable.

Spring burning can present significant fire risks even though it may seem like a safe time to burn. Moisture is present in the soil, but grasses can dry out quickly due to increasing temperatures and wind. Fires that start in these fuels can spread very rapidly, especially when driven by wind.

Wildfire Management Branch crews have responded to all seven of this week’s incidents and the majority are now in the mop-up or patrol stage.

• On Wednesday, 16 fire and first aid personnel were onsite at a 4.2-hectare fire one kilometre east of Lees Corner, near Hanceville. Five personnel are returning today (April 10) to patrol the fire and completely extinguish it.
• Cariboo Fire Centre personnel responded to a two-hectare fire on Wednesday night on the Tl’esqox-t'in (Toosey) Indian Reserve. Local RCMP and B.C. Hydro staff also responded and this incident is under investigation.

By this time last year, the Cariboo Fire Centre had responded to three fires that burned a total of 25 hectares.

Please refer to Wildfire Management Branch’s April 9 information bulletin for more information on safe burning practices: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=2114

Media Contacts:

Emily Koch
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Cariboo Fire Centre
250 989-2665