Forest fires in British Columbia: a record balance sheet
From extreme drought to unprecedented destruction: the fire crisis in British Columbia
The year 2023 marks a sad record for British Columbia (BC): the most destructive forest fire season ever recorded, according to data provided by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
Since 1 April, a total of about 13,986 square kilometres of land has been burned, surpassing the previous annual record set in 2018, when 13,543 square kilometres were devastated. And the province’s forest fire season is still ongoing.
As of 17 July, there are more than 390 active fires across British Columbia, including 20 considered ‘significant’ – that is, those fires that pose a threat to public safety.
The intensity of this forest fire season has been exacerbated by severe drought conditions. ‘British Columbia is experiencing severe drought levels and unprecedented conditions across the province,’ the provincial government confirmed in a statement.
Drought levels in BC are measured on a scale of 0 to 5, where Drought Level 5 indicates the highest severity. The provincial government added that: “As of 13 July, two-thirds of BC’s watersheds were at Drought Level 4 or 5.”
Help from the sky
Bridger Aerospace sent six CL-415 Super Scoopers and one PC-12 to Canada to support firefighting efforts earlier this year. Despite the efforts, the combination of extreme heat, drought and high winds created favourable conditions for the fires to spread rapidly.
The magnitude and intensity of this year’s fires are testing the limits of available resources. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to contain the situation, but the number and extent of the fires are creating significant logistical problems.
In addition to the environmental damage, the forest fires have had a significant impact on local communities. Many residents have had to evacuate their homes, and economic activities, such as tourism and agriculture, have been negatively affected.
This forest fire season highlights the importance of adopting more effective fire prevention and management measures. The lessons learnt this year will serve to guide future fire management policies and mitigate future impacts.
A wake-up call
It is a reminder of how urgent it is to address climate change and adapt our societies and systems to better respond to these growing challenges. With the right combination of policy, innovation and cooperation, we can hope to prevent such destructive forest fire seasons in the future.