Provincial officials are warning that ongoing drought and above-normal temperatures could make for a difficult wildfire season across British Columbia this summer.
British Columbia’s auditor general said the province’s lack of coordination and oversight slowed the recovery of Lytton after a wildfire destroyed most of the village in 2021.
The Wesley Ridge wildfire continues to grow and has reached nearly five-hundred hectares. The BC Wildfire Service estimates 494 hectares of forest has been burned since the fire was first noticed on July 31.
Since April the BC Wildfire Service says it has seen close to 750,000 hectares of land burned due to wildfires in the province, but it’s nowhere near the 2023 record.
Premier David Eby says his government is in contact with officials in northeastern British Columbia, where an out-of-control wildfire has prompted evacuations.
A potentially powerful El Niño could worsen drought conditions across B.C., prompting calls for stronger water protection measures from the next provincial government.
A potentially powerful El Niño could worsen drought conditions across B.C., prompting calls for stronger water protection measures from the next provincial government.
B.C.'s major political parties are pitching tax cuts, frozen auto insurance rates and education improvements as the provincial election campaign continues.
