Cooler summer helps BC Wildfire Service burn through less money

KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) – While many people have been griping about the comparatively cooler summer weather we’ve had so far this year, the men and women who battle wildfires across BC probably aren’t among them.

A much less intense fire season has helped the province burn through way less of what it typically spends protecting our forests.

Since April 1st it has cost crews $97 million to fight wildfires in BC. “Which if you were to compare that to last year at this time, we would have spent $207 million by this point in time,” explains Fire Information Officer Ryan Turcot.

The 10-year average is $120 million, not accounting for inflation. The initial budget for this year was set at only $63 million. While that seems low, the province always sets it conservatively.

“Whenever actual costs exceed that allocation, the BC Wildfire Service has statutory authorization to receive additional funds. What we really don’t want to do is tie up funds unnecessarily in a budget line in the event it is a slow wildfire season,” he tells NEWS 1130.

But Turcot reminds us even though it’s been a good summer so far for fire crews, it’s not over yet. “That’s not to say the September fire season still couldn’t be potentially an active one,” adds Turcot.

As of August 23rd, there had been over 930 wildfires reported in the province, burning 99,000 hectares.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today