As warmer weather returns to parts of the province that were affected by last summer’s wildfires, some hotspots could emerge due to what are called “overwintering fires,” the provincial government warned in an April 30 press release.

An overwintering fire can occur when a wildfire that burned deep underground last year has continued to smolder all winter long. Given the extent of last summer’s drought and the intensity of some of the 2017 wildfires, some of these residual hotspots could flare up with the arrival of warmer and drier weather this spring.

Most overwintering fires will occur well within the original fire’s perimeter. Areas near communities where wildfires burned last year were patrolled extensively by firefighters and have been scanned using thermal-imaging technology, explained a Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and BC Wildfire Service press release.

It is standard practice for the BC Wildfire Service to monitor these previous wildfire areas to ensure that any flare-ups from overwintering fires are located and suppressed, if necessary.

However, members of the public are encouraged to report any wildfire or smoke that they see, even if it’s located within the perimeter of a previous fire. To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free, or *5555 on a cellphone.

The BC Wildfire Service monitors former wildfire areas and any renewed activity will be assessed.

Such events present a limited risk to communities, since previous wildfire areas near communities have been scanned using thermal-imaging technology and were patrolled extensively by firefighters, the government press release noted.

There are no reported potential sites in this region.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories.

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