FORT NELSON -- As we enter the first day of summer, dry conditions are leading to an increase in fire activity in the Fort Nelson area.
The Nogah Creek wildfire is burning 60 kilometres north of Fort Nelson has grown to 98,724 hectares in size, based on the most recent information from the BC Wildfire Service.
Low snowpack and drought conditions in the region over the winter and spring seasons leading to hotspots of the holdover fire not to be fully extinguished, sparking blazes that breach the fire perimeter.
In an update posted June 20th, The BC Wildfire Service says fire behaviour is intensifying and could be further affected by windy conditions.
“Regardless of the conditions, it is important that everyone do their part to be responsible with any activity that could potentially spark a new wildfire,” said the BCWS in a Provincial Situation Report.
Unseasonably high temperatures in the area are also contributing to the increase in fire activity, that as of today, sees the fire danger rating listed as ‘high’.
“A ridge of high-pressure air will pull hot, dry air from the northwest to the southeast of the province, bringing most areas into above-seasonal temperatures,” detailed the BCWS.
The fire danger rating is measured through a number of factors: including fuels, weather, topography, foliar moisture content, and type and duration of prediction.
It comes weeks after wildfires forced evacuations in the area, the Patry Creek blaze is being held while the parker lake wildfire is considered under control.
The wildfire service is also warning of increased smoke that is visible in the Fort Nelson area, and to those travelling along Highway 77 and Highway 97.
