Cool, damp conditions in B.C. have mitigated the province’s forest-fire risk, but that is likely to change, said Brian MacIntosh, senior representative of the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch.
“It’s likely that things will dry out, so preventive measures (in B.C.) are still important,” he said yesterday.
The low local forest-fire danger has permitted B.C. to deploy 380 firefighters out of province.
Of these, 178 are in northern Ontario, 157 in central Quebec and 45 in Alaska. They can be recalled at any time.
MacIntosh said fires are usually an essential part of the boreal forest ecosystem, allowing forested regions to rejuvenate. However, when these fires approach a community and pose a risk to property, public health and safety, officials have to act.
