Friday wind shift should clear smoke over Lower Mainland

KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) – A big shift in the weather is expected to clear the skies over Metro Vancouver by week’s end, and may also give some much-needed help to fire crews in the BC Interior.

Kevin Skrepnek, chief fire information officer for the BC Wildfire Service, says the wind is expected to change from outflow to inflow conditions on Friday.

“Certainly, models are coming into alignment that there is going to be a bit of a low pressure system coming into the province. That’s going to bring cooler temperatures, a good chance for spotty showers as well,” he says.

However, this weather system could also produce very strong winds, fanning the flames of the 130 active wildfires.

“Depending on how that system comes in, either fiercely or if it comes in a little bit more gradually, it could either be a help or a hindrance in terms of the wildfire situation,” Skrepnek adds.

It’s been one month since the provincial government declared a state of emergency, and a full week since special air quality statements were first issued for the South Coast.

BC’s wildfire situation has held relatively steady over recent days. Some 6,900 people remain under evacuation orders, while some 26,700 are under evacuation alerts.

Skrepnek says he’s encouraged that despite the higher number of people heading to the Interior for the long weekend, nearly all of the 15 new wildfires sparked on Sunday were caused by lightning, not human activity.

“We’re not really seeing a spike in terms of human-caused incidents out there, which I think is heartening. Given just how hot and dry it is out there, these fires can spark quite easily. So I think, in general, the public is getting the message,” he says.

The province has already spent $234 million on the wildfire response so far. Since April 1, there have been 904 fires reported in BC, which have burned through an estimated 578,000 hectares of land.

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