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Wildfires from last year can cause hot spots in Okanagan

Kelowna - Most overwintering fires will occur well within the original fire’s perimeter.
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As warmer weather returns to parts of the province affected by last summer’s wildfires, including the Okanagan, some hot spots could re-emerge due to overwintering fires.

READ MORE: Communities on evacuation alert in many areas of B.C. as wildfires flare

An overwintering fire can occur when a wildfire that burned deep underground last year has continued to smoulder all winter long. Given the extent and intensity of many wildfires in the summer of 2018, some of these residual hot spots could flare up with the arrival of warmer and drier weather this spring, according to the province in a news release.

READ MORE: Wild fires blaze in the Okanagan, the weekend in your words

Most overwintering fires will occur well within the original fire’s perimeter. Many areas near communities where wildfires burned last year are being actively patrolled by firefighters and scanned using thermal imaging technology, the release said.

READ MORE: Snowy Mountain fire grows to 1,360 hectares in size

It is standard practice for the BC Wildfire Service to monitor previous wildfire sites to ensure that any flare-ups from overwintering fires are located and suppressed if necessary. However, members of the public are encouraged to report any wildfire or smoke they see, even if it is located within the perimeter of a previous fire.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

READ MORE: BC Wildfire monitoring flare ups above K-Mountain in Keremeos

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit http://www.bcwildfire.ca.


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