Canada is battling an early start to the wildfire season, with further blazes reported on the weekend and a number remaining out of control. 
 
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) says as of May 21 there were 224 fires in the country, including 13 new fires, and that 1.7 million hectares have been burned for the year to date. 
 
The BC Wildfire Service said on Friday that since April 1 more than 220 wildfires have burned more than 135,000 hectares largely within the Prince George Fire Centre. Of these fires, 85% were human-caused and were preventable, the BC Wildfire Service says. 
 
Above-normal temperatures, combined with drought conditions throughout most of the province, are increasing the potential for wildfires, according to the service. 
 
“While the majority of wildfires that occur in the spring are typically human-caused, with the return to more seasonal conditions, there is an increasing probability of lightning-caused fires,” it says. 
 
“The BC Wildfire Service is closely monitoring these changing conditions and making preparations with strategic aviation and crew placements.” 
 
AFAC, the national council for fire and emergency services in Australia and New Zealand, says a contingent of more than 200 firefighters and incident management specialists will depart for Canada this week, following a request for assistance from the CIFFC. 
 
“Australia, New Zealand and Canada have a long history of supporting each other, and we are pleased to be able to help Canada as they experience significant wildfire activity,”AFAC CEO Rob Webb said.