Wildfire season becomes second worst in B.C.’s history

• A year after the single worst season for wildfires in B.C.’s history, statistics indicate the 2018 wildfire season has already reached the second-worst mark, burning 945 square kilometres of land so far.

That should prompt more research into the trend, which saw more than 2,100 square kilometres of land burned over the past two years, said the province’s chief fire information officer, Kevin Skrepnek. In 2017, the most troublesome fires all started in a three-day period in early July, burning for months and merging with other fires. While fires merging is a common phenomenon, said Skrepnek, the sheer volume of blazes ignited in those three days created weeks-long battles for firefighters.

In contrast, 2018 has seen almost 600 more fires than 2017, but most were more manageable due to a wet spring. Skrepnek said more structures were destroyed last year than in 2018 so far.

Data shows the province spent more than $568 million in firefighting efforts, and while the figures for 2018 are still coming together, Skrepnek estimates they will spend more than $300 million.