During that unforgettable wildfire season last year in BC the community of Lytton had mostly burned to the ground and many homes were destroyed.
Two people were also reported to have lost their lives, and other nearby communities were evacuated as well.
Now we see that around Lytton there are more wildfire concerns.
The weather has been warming up and that was expected to fuel flames near the area. This comes after the wildfire season had a bit of a slow start this year as things have been a little cooler.
Recently the wildfire crews have reported that they’ve made great progress though with setting up a new sprinkler system that is going to be positioned along a walking path to the provincial park near Lytton.
The ongoing Nohomin Creek wildfire was at over 2,000 hectares as of July 20, 2022.
Several properties have already been destroyed by the fire and there are other active fires around the province that crews are also working on and concerned about.
One of the Deadliest Weather Events in Canadian History
Last year BC saw one of the worst years for fires around the province and international firefighters at one point came in to help battle the fires that were raging around the province.
Millions of dollars had been spent during that season in 2021 on fighting these fires and the heatwave that we saw on the West Coast has been regarded as possibly one of the deadliest weather events in Canadian history.
BC saw a tremendous amount of damage from those fires and the heatwave also claimed hundreds of lives. It was a terrible fire season, especially for the community of Lytton to endure.
During that fire season we saw evacuation orders go out for Lytton and other areas around BC, many people were displaced.
It was said that the entire town of Lytton was basically on fire and as you drive through now even one year later you can clearly see the tremendous amount of damage that was done.
Thousands had recently signed a petition that called on the B.C. government to declare a state of emergency over the wildfires. Now, that province-wide state of emergency is declared in BC this week.
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With the hundreds of wildfires that are burning in the province there are thousands of people who are facing possible evacuation from their homes. Already, communities like Lytton saw significant destruction from the fires and many have been displaced from their homes.
The emergency crews throughout the province have been working hard to get control of the situation and work to protect communities around the province.
As the wildfires have continued to pose a threat to air quality and the safety of thousands living in BC. The wildfires have fueled a state of emergency in BC to be declared by officials. The BC state of emergency is supposed to help with those mass evacuations that are taking place.
As the Public Safety Minister made known, this BC state of emergency is going to help with those evacuation orders and assist the government in trying to find accommodation for any evacuees that might need it.
B.C. Has Reached A Critical Point
Hundreds of wildfires are burning in BC which has now prompted this state of emergency because we have seen that already the fires in BC have placed a significant strain on those emergency resources, fueling a greater threat to BC communities. Even with help coming in from outside of the country to assist the problem this BC state of emergency still needed to be declared.
Right now the province is at a critical point, according to the Public Safety Minister, and as of yesterday there were over 2,000 properties that were on evacuation orders around the province.
Over 16,000 Properties Under Evacuation Alert in B.C.
The Canadian federal government will now be sending the military to help assist in controlling those flames, with the state of emergency in BC being declared the situation has escalated to require that support.
Around the province there are over 16,038 properties that are facing possible evacuation, hundreds more have already lost their homes or had to evacuate already.
Anyone traveling around the province is also warned by officials not to travel to those regions that are under evacuation alert from fires in BC right now. Around the West Coast right now we have seen that it is an every firefighter on deck approach to the situation, with multiple communities facing fires and evacuations in British Columbia.
Hotels Filling Up In B.C.
Hotels in some areas of B.C. are already filling up with those evacuees and it has prompted some politicians to call for more help from the government to address the situation.
Smoky skies can be seen all around the province, in areas like Penticton, Osoyoos, and other regions. People have been seen sleeping in parking lots in their cars and RVs to try and seek refuge from the fire threat.
Already this season the cost has been tremendous to fight those fires around B.C. and overall it’s estimated that the issue has required $94 million or more before the peak fire season in B.C. has begun.
As far as what is causing the fires in BC it was reported that more than half are believed to have been started by lightning. However, there are hundreds of fires in BC that are allegedly linked to human activity this season as well. Until the situation is under control in British Columbia that state of emergency over fires needed to be declared.
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How to help B.C. fire evacuees
One way to help would be to foster or adopt a cat that needs it from the BC SPCA, or another animal organization offering emergency services right now to cats and other animals impacted by the fires in BC The BC SPCA has recently dropped those adoption fees in an attempt to free up space at their shelters because there are so many animals who need the space.
Various emergency centers have also set up to offer vital goods to those in need, as well as other organizations that are raising funds to help those who have been impacted by the fires in BC too.
There is more than one way to send help to those who are in need and there are thousands in the province who are facing evacuation and who are in need of those resources and of more community support.
There are more than 300 active wildfires burning in the province of British Columbia right now.
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In the last 2 days more than 10 new fires in B.C. have started. Wildfire emergency crews are working to get control of those wildfires and there are several areas that remain on high alert and ready to face evacuation.
Already from the wildfires this season we have seen them completely destroy communities like Lytton, B.C. and because of the problem there are thousands more who could be evacuated around B.C.
Crews around the province are facing an extended fire season and have been working hard around the province to address the many fires that continue to burn. A number of firefighters have arrived from other countries in Canada now too, in an effort to help battle the B.C. wildfires that continue to burn around the province.
Just recently the campfire ban in B.C. went into effect which meant that campfires would be banned everywhere in the province. The campfire ban in B.C. came into effect on June 30 2021 and is expected to last until Oct 15 2021.
This year is expected to be a record breaking year for BC Parks and a number of travelers have planned and booked camping trips this summer. Right now the province is moving forward with reopening plans and is already well underway with easing those COVID-19 restrictions around the province.
As far as the reopening goes, the Canadian border is expected to be opening soon to fully vaccinated American travelers and it might be later this fall that we see more changes on other travelers being allowed to resume non-essential travel to Canada just the same.
More details on the Canada border reopening this year are expected to come soon.
This is one question that many have been asking which is when will the Canada border reopen like normal. Not just for vaccinated but when will the border also be open for non-vaccinated to engage in non-essential travel just as well without having to quarantine. Answers to these questions might be coming soon.
In the meantime, across Canada various provinces are easing their own COVID-19 restrictions and moving forward with reopening plans. The hundreds of wildfires are a concern right now for many who live in those affected areas but also for travelers who might have thought about planning a visit to those areas.
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Almost 70% of those fires in BC have been Sparked By Lightning
It is believed that more than half of those wildfires in B.C., around 68.2%, have been sparked by lightning. While lightning has been blamed for a number of fires to date, the province of B.C. has also blamed hundreds of wildfires in the province on human activities too.
It is believed that lightning was responsible for a majority of the wildfires in B.C. this season.
The wildfires are having an impact on the province in multiple ways. They have meant a number of British Columbians have been evacuated, thousands still could face that situation. It has also meant that many have lost everything in the fires, like those residents in Lytton, B.C. , there has been a heavy and emotional toll that the fires have had on individuals and communities around the province this year.
Helping Those Impacted by Wildfires in B.C.
There are a number of funds and organizations that have sprung into action to address the need of evacuees from those wildfires. And some of those accommodations are already filling up as we see more evacuations around the province.
The wildfires around B.C. have impacted the animal community too. For the BC SPCA they have also sought to cut their adoption fees to free up some shelter space for the animals in need. Around the province the BC SPCA and other rescue organizations have been doing vital work to provide care and emergency services to those animals in B.C. impacted by the wildfires.
The emergency crews in B.C. have continued to fight hundreds of wildfires around the area but the problem has been placing a significant strain on those valuable B.C. firefighting resources.
A number of regions around B.C. are facing smoky skies because of wildfires that are ongoing. At one point recently there were hundreds of fires burning around the province and this means that a variety of communities are on alert to possibly evacuate on short notice.
Health experts warn that there is risks associated with the smoke-ridden skies and they are cautioning people to take steps that might be able to help. Those health experts suggest things like air filters to AC units and making sure individuals have enough medication to endure any associated risks with the air quality in the region.
In recent weeks there has been an air quality advisory for the Metro Vancouver region and the central Fraser Valley, as a number of regions around the province fight wildfires. Because of the busy season they have been having with those fires the province has already brought in out of town firefighters to help with the problem.
The BC SPCA and other rescue organizations have also been at work helping those animals around the province in need who have been impacted by the fires as well.
The heat wave and wildfires have created plenty of concern with health experts around the province and along the West Coast for the air quality issues that might come about. The wildfire smoke in some regions of the province have already fueled some air quality concerns.
It has been reported that they are seeing an increase each day which can be attributed to dramatic drought conditions in the province that we have seen this year. What they have been facing around the province is in advance of what they might normally see for this time of year.
Already, we have seen severe devastation including areas like Lytton which had a significant portion of the community burn to the ground and people forced to evacuate. That fire has also been somewhat of a wakeup call for railway safety as well. The wildfires burning in the province have already had some impact on the supply chain here.
Around areas in Canada, as well as in the United States, health officials have been warning people about the dangers that could be associated with those hazy and smoky skies. They are busy monitoring the situation and health experts have suggested that those with underlying health conditions might be more at risk than others.
Smoke is now becoming the biggest issue for firefighters and residents in the province. However, recently Canadian officials downgraded those air quality alerts and suggested it is likely going to be worse closer to the wildfires directly. Some communities are going to be more impacted than others, with the smoke being more highly visible.
There are more than 1,000 people who have been forced from their homes in Lytton, B.C. after the wildfire destroyed more than 90% of the town. Donations are currently being accepted and makeshift evacuation centers have been established, and now there is also an RV park near Chilliwack that is offering free camping to those impacted by the wildfire.
The people who have had to quickly evacuate from Lytton have been left with nothing. Donations are being accepted for those who have been impacted, including everything from cash and gift certificates, to tablets, phones, baby products, personal hygiene items, and more.
In a post to Facebook the Popkum Motor Park noted that they are opening their doors to those who have been impacted in Lytton. In that post they have said for anyone who might need a place to camp or stay, that they want to be the one to help in that regard and offer free camping at the RV park.
This is an opportunity for those who need help and shelter to be able to find a space for free camping and the Popkum Motor Park only asks for proof of a Lytton address. They’ve got water, space for tents and sleeping, outhouses, all that they ask is those who are in need show up.
For more information on that offer for those in need of a place to stay they are asked to please email ride@popkummotorpark.com or call 778.255.7433
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