Most of BC’s wildfire budget spent, province hopes to recoup money
Posted June 20, 2015 12:01 pm.
Last Updated June 20, 2015 12:08 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Thanks to an above average wildfire season; most of BC’s allocated budget to fight them has gone up in smoke.
However, the province is hoping to recoup some of that money soon. It can do that by sending crews out of province and every time that happens, the government gets money back.
“It’s important to note that when actual costs exceed the direct fire budget allocation, the Wildfire Management Branch has statutory authorization to receive additional funds and the province will always spend whatever is necessary to protect people and property,” says Fire Information Officer Ryan Turcot.
He adds they’ve spent $52 million of a $63 million budget — that’s about 80 per cent of the 2015-2016 budget. Much of that had to be spent, for example, at this time last year there were about 40 lightning caused fires, right now there are about 200.
He adds despite the busy season crews are experiencing locally, BC is still in a position to send firefighters to other regions of the country.
Weather-wise, things have cooled down slightly over the past week, but warmer temperatures are expected to begin tomorrow or Monday.
