A recent wildfire near Thornhill Creek, discovered and initially tackled by the Thornhill Volunteer Fire Department on Aug. 23, has highlighted the fire-prone conditions of the region.
As a result of the drier-than-normal conditions and lack of precipitation, BC Wildfire Service has reintroduced a campfire ban for the entire Northwest Fire Centre stretching west of Burns Lake to Prince Rupert and northward from Kitimat to Atlin.
Upon the discovery of the blaze, the Thornhill Volunteer Fire Department sought assistance from a BC Wildfire Service initial attack crew. The team assisted in creating access for a water tender vehicle, ensuring the wildfire crew could get the fire swiftly under control. Following the successful collaboration, responsibility for the fire was passed back to the Thornhill Fire Department.
READ MORE: Drought, forecasted hot temperatures to raise wildfire risks in Terrace this summer
While the cause of the fire is under investigation, BC Wildfire Service suspects it was human-caused.
BC Wildfire Service Northwest Fire Centre Information Officer Kaitlyn Bailey commented on the prevailing conditions in the Terrace and Thornhill areas. “Conditions in the Skeena Fire Zone, which includes Terrace and Thornhill, have been warm and dry over the past few weeks, with exceptions,” Bailey said.
The prolonged lack of precipitation over the past months has made the region more susceptible to wildfires, as witnessed by the recent incident near Thornhill Creek.
BC Wildfire Service had not initially considered reimposing a campfire ban in the wake of the Thornhill Creek fire, but the decision to do so, effective Aug. 31, at noon across the Northwest Fire Centre, was in direct response to the conditions on the ground that are conducive to wildfires starting and the difficulties fighting them, Bailey said.
Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.
Tips or story ideas? (250) 638-7283 ext. 5411 or viktor.elias@terracestandard.com.
Like the Terrace Standard on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.