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British Columbia’s record breaking wildfire season, by the numbers
July 20, 2023 By The Canadian Press
British Columbia’s wildfire season is now the most destructive on record, with more than 14,000 square kilometres of the province burned, surpassing the previous high of 13,543 square kilometres set in 2018.
B.C.’s wildfire season is most destructive on record and hasn’t peaked yet: minister
Here are some statistics about the current season from the BC Wildfire Service website, as of 6 p.m. Pacific time, July 19.
Total area burned: 14,281 square kilometres
Fires currently burning: 386, including 21 fires of note
New fires in past 24 hours: 29
Out-of-control fires: 244
Total number of fires this season: 1,233
Causes of all fires: Lightning, 65 per cent; humans (deliberate and accidental), 29 per cent; unknown, six per cent.
Biggest single fire: Donnie Creek fire, northeastern B.C., 5,831 square kilometres.
