NEW HAZELTON, B.C. – The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the danger of British Columbia’s wildfire season and the province’s forests minister says public help is crucial to reduce fires.
Doug Donaldson says wildfires caused by humans are preventable and divert valuable resources away from naturally occurring fires while exposing firefighters to unnecessary risks.
The BC Wildfire Service says people caused more than 54 per cent of the wildfires in the province last year. Donaldson says the wildfire service has developed plans aimed at protecting about 1,700 personnel and people they may come in contact with from contracting or spreading COVID-19. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] Jody Lucius,