With warmer temperatures and little rain in B.C., the risk of wildfires is ramping up again.
Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz, whose community is no stranger to wildfires, says the weather is always a concern over the summer, but with another blast of heat on its way, he says people need to be on high alert.
The city, he says, is always on alert with a full-time emergency operations manager, helicopters, and a 30-person rapid-attack crew at the ready.
“Now the rivers are running lower, and it’s hard sometimes to bucket out of the river if they’re trying to fight a fire. But we are prepared and we know that we’re going to be seeing some higher [temperatures] in the mid thirties,” said Goetz.
“One thing that’s a benefit is the nights are getting cooler and the nights are getting longer. And every morning there’s dew on the ground now, which does change things.”
He adds that his community is doing better following recent years of bad wildfire seasons, thanks to efforts by the province and communities around B.C.
“We were surrounded by fire for a couple of years. Now, one of the things that has happened over the last little while is the premier came up with the Premier’s Expert Council on firefighting,” Goetz explained.
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He says information which Merritt provided to Thompson–Nicola Regional District Representative Scott Hildebrand, on the council, has helped change the way the BC Wildfire Service operates.
“Now they fight fires at night. They use night vision. They’re using drones more. They’re getting on [the fires] when they’re small… And I think that’s why we see some of these fires being put out fairly quickly.”
But Goetz says all it takes is one wrong move.
Not having a campfire during the ongoing ban is obvious, but he’s reminding people that starting a wildfire can be as simple as getting outdoors to have some fun.
“Don’t take your ATVs and your motorcycles up on the roads without spark arresters on them — and actually stay outta the forest with it. Don’t use fireworks, don’t throw a bottle onto the ground and it smashes, because the sunlight goes through those and acts like a magnifying glass,” said Goetz.
“Treat Merritt, if you’re here visiting, like your home.”
Currently, there are 60 active wildfires in B.C.