Okanagan BC Forest Fires

If you're in the Okanagan on vacation you may want information on BC forest fires in the area, any current wildfires and forest fires in British Columbia.

When the forests are tinder dry, even friction can cause a fire. You'll also want to know about campfire bans and other BC Forest Service restricitons, particularily where the back country is concerned.

Canada forests make up about one tenth of the world's forests. Canada is the world's largest exporter of forest products, accounting for 15.9 percent of world trade. (source: Environment Canada)

B.C.'s forests and wildlands cover over 94 million hectares (nearly a million square kilometres) and are the most diverse in Canada.

The number of forest fires in British Columbia that occur is usually about 2,000, with half caused by people and half caused by lightning. BC Forest Service fire crews are successful in containing 92 percent of all wildfires in B.C. within the first 24-hours of wildfire discovery.

Between 2000 and 2009 the Okanagan suffered a number of devastating wild fires, some caused by human carelessness, others not.

In 2009, we saw some of the most extreme dry forest and weather conditions, which inevitably created an increased need for tighter restricitions on campfires and such.

In 2009, Okanagan BC forest fires forced more than ten thousand people in West Kelowna and thousands of others all across British Columbia to be evacuated.

As you can see in this photo, near Peachland BC, the heavy smoke created by wild fires can also create difficulty for those with respiratory problems.

You can find current information on open fire bans here, and you can also find out about any current wildfires in BC here.

During fire season, the Wildfire Management Branch of British Columbia weather forecasters collect weather station data to determine Fire Danger Ratings. In some areas of the province such as provincial or national parks, you will see signs indicating the fire danger index. You can also listen for updates on local radio stations.

The wild fires season started early in 2009 due to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation, and is expected to be the same for 2010. Be sure to know about forest fires hazard ratings and campfire bans when you are here.

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