Wildfire sparks southwest of Chetwynd

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The location of the wildfire that sparked near Chetwynd on February 23rd. (BCWS)

CHETWYND, B.C. — A wildfire has sparked southwest of Chetwynd, marking a very early start to the 2024 wildfire season in northeast B.C.

The fire was discovered on February 23rd at 9:49 a.m. and, as of 11:32 a.m., is approximately eight hectares, growing from .0009 hectares.

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire is suspected to be caused by humans.

The BCWS says wildfire staff are assessing the incident.

The wildfire service says it isn’t uncommon to see fires start at any time of the year if conditions on the ground, such as weather, snowpack and amount of fuel available, are conducive to ignition.

“Current conditions in the Peace region are unseasonably warm and dry, so it is not surprising that some areas are already receptive to ignition,” said the BCWS.

When the 2023 drought monitoring season ended in November 2023, all four basins in the northeast were at drought level 5, meaning adverse impacts are almost certain, adding to the risk for the upcoming wildfire season.

The River Forecast Centre analyzes snowpack, and its February 1st survey reported that “the provincial snowpack remains very low, averaging 61 per cent of normal across British Columbia.”

There are still two to three months left in the snow season, according to the survey, but the current trends of low snowpack are likely to continue.

In February 2023, the snowpack across the province was 79 per cent.

BCWS encourages the public to be mindful of the conditions in the region and be responsible with fire.

Up-to-date information on wildfires can be found on the BCWS website or the mobile app.

Fires can be reported using the app, calling 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.