Published 10 days ago • loading... • Updated 10 days ago

Zombie fires are coming back from the dead — and they’re multiplying

Sonja Leverkus, a wildfire specialist, leads a convoy over 90 kilometres up the Komie Road near Fort Nelson to hunt for "zombie fires," overwintering blazes that smoulder underground beneath snow cover.
These holdover fires occur when previous wildfires smoulder deep in soil through winter, remaining dormant like hot coals until spring conditions allow them to ignite new, dangerous forest blazes.
In 2025, the British Columbia Wildfire Service reported that 18 per cent of 345 fires in the Prince George Fire Centre region were classified as overwintering fires.
Fort Nelson residents face recurring threats from these hidden blazes; a 2024 wildfire forced the evacuation of more than 3,000 residents, underscoring the critical need for proactive detection.
Ground-Level expertise remains essential, as even thermal drones struggle to detect heat beneath deep snow, making Leverkus and her team's blend of high-tech tools and human senses crucial for discovery.

Insights by Ground AI