Vancouver Island spared 30 per cent less wildfires than expected
NANAIMO — As intense heat blankets Vancouver Island, fire officials are pleased to say there’s been a signficant decrease in the number of wildfires in the area.
Donna MacPherson, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre, told NanaimoNewsNOW 61 fire starts were discovered and put out since the beginning of wildfire season. They’d expected roughly 90 by this time this summer.
“We’re asking everyone to keep it up, we really don’t need any more fires on the coast,” she said. “We’re also finding less people calling about campfires, so we’re optimistic the reason people aren’t calling in illegal campfires is because people aren’t having them.”
MacPherson said it’s important for people to remain vigilant as extreme heat hits the Nanaimo region, with temperatures expected to top 30 C.