EnvirocastTM TV for Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Wildfires in British Columbia

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Images

This image was taken by the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard NASA's Aqua satellite.  It shows wildfires in British Columbia, Canada on August 3, 2003.

Environmental Impacts:

  • This summer is the worst fire season in a half-century in British Columbia, Canada, and more than 8,500 residents has been forced to leave their homes, the largest number of people displaced by fire in the province in decades.
     

  • The largest fire is raging near Lake Chilko, it continues to burn across the Thomas River at Kamloops, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Vancouver in Canada. The weather is hot, dry and windy, and this weather pattern was not expected to change in the next a few days. It was observed that some fires had flames rising up to 100 meters (yards).

  • British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell declared a state of emergency on August 1. He also asked for emergency relief from the federal government in a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

  • By August 5, there were 348 fires burning across B.C., and have devastated 73,990 hectares (18,2800 acres) of forest. With dry and windy conditions persisting, new fires continue to start as others are contained and the total area of land that has been affected by fires continues to grow.

  • The elderly and anyone with respiratory problems are advised to avoid vigorous outdoor activities during times associated with the build-up of air pollutants from smoke in the areas of Alexis Creek, Williams Lake, Tatla Lake, Anahim Lake and 100 Mile House.

  • A total of 2,000 firefighters are now working across B.C. An estimated 2,000 volunteers are now supporting B.C.’s firefighting efforts by providing help to those who have been evacuated as fire and weather conditions remain extremely volatile.

Fire Danger Rating in British Columbia, Canada (By Ministry of Forests, CA):
Image NTSC 720x486 030806_01_tva.jpg shows wildfires in British Columbia on August 3, 2003, with annotations.
Image NTSC 720x486 030806_02_tva.jpg is the same as above, with limited annotations.
Image NTSC 720x486 030806_03_tva.jpg is the same as above, with no annotations.
Image NTSC 640x480 030806_01_tvb.jpg shows wildfires in British Columbia on August 3, 2003, with annotations.
Image NTSC 640x480 030806_02_tvb.jpg is the same as above, with limited annotations.
Image NTSC 640x480 030806_03_tvb.jpg is the same as above, with no annotations.

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