Cooler weather leads to a slow start to BC’s wildfire season – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

It’s been a slow start to summer in many parts of BC, but the BC Forest Fire Service says warmer temperatures are on the way, which means wildfire season is upon us.

BCWS Lead Forecaster Matt MacDonald gave an outlook on what to expect in terms of wildfires on Thursday, with BC Forestry Minister Katrine Conroy also in attendance.

MacDonald said that while below-season temperatures in June helped quell the threat of another wildfire season, we can expect warm weather in the days ahead and it’s likely here to stay.

“Bringing significant amounts of rainfall into those areas really helped recharge those deeper fuels,” MacDonald said. “That said, again, it only takes three to five days of hot, dry weather to see our surface and interlayer fuels dry out.

“With the forecasts I put out today, there is a good chance that warm weather is coming, so we will inevitably see an increase in fire activity.”

MacDonald said we will likely see a drier-than-usual second half of July, and that trend is also forecast for early August.

“We will have to see how that situation develops. But we’re pretty sure we’re going to get into warmer conditions here as we get into the heart of summer,” MacDonald explained.

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So far, there have been 217 wildfires in BC since April 1, while the five-year average indicates that we would normally see just over 430 wildfires during that same time period. The decrease in fires has allowed BC to provide a helping hand.

“We are very pleased to be able to support our northern partners in the Yukon Territory and Alaska, where the weather is much drier this year,” said Conroy.

“Actually there are currently 113 members of the BC Wildfire Service who are supporting the people in the Yukon.”

In an effort to protect British Columbians, the province announced last Friday that it would invest $359 million in the 2022 budget, the largest investment in the history of the BC Wildfire Service.

“This includes $145 million that will help us transform the organization into a year-round service and move from its current reactive model, focused on fighting fires once they start, to a more proactive model,” Conroy explained.

The forest minister also revealed on Thursday that the government would make it easier to protect communities from wildfires through the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, a group that helps reduce wildfire risk. $25 million is already available for municipalities interested in the initiative.

“The communities deserve our full support, especially as the wildfire threat appears to be increasing with the continuing effects of climate change,” Conroy said.

If you want to stay up to date on the wildfire situation in BC this summer, download the BC Wildfire Service’s wildfire app.