As the warmer weather sets in, BC Wildfire Service is concerned about what the rest of the summer season may look like.
Environment Canada is calling for daytime highs of nearly 30 degrees Celsius through Monday. On Sunday, parts of the Lower Mainland had heat warnings have been put in place.
The heat from the Mainland has started to make its way onto Vancouver Island.
“We’re experiencing what is called an outflow pattern. So that means that dry air from the interior is being pushed over the coast. What that’s doing is causing more significant quicker drying over the coast,” Julia Caranci, fire information officer for the Coastal Fire Centre.
Nearly a year ago, the village of Lytton broke the heat record in Canada with temperatures reaching 49.6 degrees Celsius. It was during that time that Lytton was destroyed by large fires occurring during B.C.’s heat dome event.
To date, BC Wildfire says there have been 171 recorded fires this season, six of which were in the coastal region. Caranci says that number is lower than normal for this time of the year.
“Regardless of the fact that it’s been a slower start to the fire season this spring, we just want people to know that our crews are ready, vigilant,” said Caranci.
The recent warm air continues to serve as a flood risk in parts of B.C.
“We do anticipate that this is certainly going to drive up snowmelt rates across the province where there is snow,” said Dave Campbell, head of the River Forecast Centre during a June 24 press conference.
Drought conditions are also in the line of sight for the province.
Last year, the Island saw months of stage four and five drought levels. No advisories or conditions have been announced on the Island.
Emergency Management BC has also prepared flood mitigation teams composed of BC Wildfire Service personnel.
“This weekend we have around 130 BC Wildfire personnel on standby as needed, courtesy of our friends and colleagues at BC Wildfire,” said Pader Brach, executive director of regional operations for Emergency Management BC during a June 24 press conference.
The Coastal Fire Centre says its hired 18 more personnel compared to last year to prepare for this season.
Oli Herrera
