The 2017 B.C. wildfire season has surpassed the record for area burned set in 1958, wildfire officials say.
Chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said in his daily update call Wednesday that the latest estimate is mostly as a result of mapping work, and is subject to change.
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香蕉视频直播淎nd of course we香蕉视频直播檙e only halfway through August, so we expect that to increase,香蕉视频直播 Skrepnek said. 香蕉视频直播淥ne silver lining to the weather that we香蕉视频直播檙e seeing right now is that we香蕉视频直播檙e not expecting the return of that massive high pressure 香蕉视频直播 with high temperatures.香蕉视频直播
But with no rain expected for southern B.C. and winds expected to pick up towards this weekend, he said it is likely the area burned will continue to increase at least in the short term.
To compound the dry conditions, Williams Lake RCMP had four youths in custody Wednesday, suspected of setting multiple fires in the Lexington subdivision of the city. The arrests came as Williams Lake香蕉视频直播檚 evacuation alert was lifted after weeks of stand-by and an evacuation of the community.
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Alexis Creek RCMP are also investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a mobile home 40 km west of the community. The fire did not spread beyond the residence.
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said the federal and provincial governments are working on a compensation program for farmers and ranchers affected by the fire. The program is to assist with damage to farm operations and loss of grazing land as fires have swept across the ranching territory of the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
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香蕉视频直播淲e felt it was extremely important to let farmers and ranchers know that this is underway, to give them some peace of mind,香蕉视频直播 Popham said.