Wildfire

What Do I Need to Know About Wildfire?

Wildfires are common in the BC Interior where Merritt is located. Most wildfires are started by lightning; however, human activity also regularly causes wildfires. Wildfires can start at any time of year; however, wildfire behaviour in BC typically peaks in July and August.

Most wildfires are suppressed with little fanfare or else are allowed to burn in remote areas where they are of little concern; however, some wildfires avoid or resist suppression efforts, spread, and threaten human values. Embers, direct flame, and radiant heat can all contribute to the spread of wildfire. Embers thrown up by wildfires are particularly dangerous as they can travel up to two kilometres through the air and ignite fuels on the ground where they land.

How Do I Report a Wildfire?

Call 1-800-663-5555 or (*5555 from a cell phone) to report a wildfire. You can also use the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) mobile app to report a wildfire.

How Can I Learn More About a Specific Wildfire?

Each fire featured on the BCWS Map has its own specific webpage with various details, such as the size of the fire, the resources that have been deployed, and the suspected cause of the fire. You can access this information by selecting a specific fire and clicking on “More Details”.

If you are still looking for more information about a fire in the Merritt area, you can call the Kamloops Fire Centre Information Line at 250-554-5965 or email kfcinfo@gov.bc.ca.

Who Responds to Wildfire?

Local fire departments like the Merritt Fire Rescue Department as well as BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) may be involved in wildfire response.

In general, local fire departments are responsible for responding to fires located within their fire protection districts and BCWS is responsible for responding to wildfires that are located on Crown land or that are not located within a fire protection district. Local fire departments and BCWS generally have close working relationships and often respond jointly to wildfires.

Are There Any Fire Bans Currently in Effect?

BCWS issues prohibitions on open fires by fire centre region. Merritt is part of the Kamloops Fire Centre region. Open fire prohibitions for the Kamloops Fire Centre region may be found on the BCWS website.

The City of Merritt regulates open fires in Merritt. Regardless of any prohibitions issued by the Kamloops Fire Centre, Category 2 and 3 open fires are never permitted in Merritt, however, the Merritt Fire Rescue Department may issue permits for small confined fires in Merritt.

What Is FireSmart?

FireSmart is a wildfire mitigation program that works with property owners, kids, educators, and local governments to reduce wildfire risk. In general, FireSmart involves managing fire fuels and taking steps to make homes and other structures more resilient to wildfire. FireSmart activities might involve landscaping using fire-resistant plants, clearing combustible debris from house gutters, or replacing cedar shake roofing with asphalt roofing.

The FireSmart program in Merritt is managed by a Merritt Fire Rescue Department member who is qualified as a Local FireSmart Representative (LFR). You can find more information about the Merritt FireSmart program at merritt.ca/firesmart.

What Else Can I Do?

Personal preparedness activities like creating an Emergency Support Services (ESS) profile, preparing a grab-and-go bag, and subscribing to the Voyent Alert! notification program can help prepare you for a wildfire evacuation as well as other types of emergency events.

Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS)

Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) is an online mapping program operated by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). FIRMS uses satellites to detect and monitor wildfires as well as other types of thermal anomalies. In the US and Canada, satellites used by FIRMS pass overhead several times daily and the FIRMS map is updated within minutes of new data being collected.

FIRMS is an excellent tool for monitoring wildfire activity. However, FIRMS data is not pinpoint accurate and FIRMS satellites cannot determine the exact size and location of a fire. Additionally, FIRMS satellites cannot always distinguish wildfires from other types of thermal anomalies, such as hot smoke and certain types of industrial activity.

Where Is Wildfire Smoke Coming from?

Information about air quality in Merritt, including information about wildfire smoke, may be found on the Merritt air quality webpage.