The cold front that began sweeping across the province Wednesday should have little impact in the Southern and Interior regions.
The BC Wildfire Service issued a statement on Tuesday to warn communities, specifically in Northern BC, of a cold front that is expected to generate strong winds, thunderstorms, and the potential for dry lightning, increasing the risk of new wildfires.
However, Alex Robinson, Information Officer with the Southeast Fire Centre, says the southern portion of the province will be less impacted by the weather event.
While there may be a risk of thunderstorms in some areas in the region throughout Wednesday and Thursday, the chance of dry lightning is very low, according to Robinson who added that regardless, the fire centre is prepared for whatever this summer may bring.
“There are six zone offices that allow us to quickly respond to fires within the region as they are discovered. As the wildfire hazard increases, we are pre-positioning crews and forward attack bases so that personnel are strategically positioned throughout the region.
Also, our fixed and rotary-wing aviation resources are available to support as needed when requested. BC Wildfire Service staff train continuously throughout the year, and lessons learned from previous years are being implemented.”
To help mitigate the threat in the region, BC Wildfire will also enact a Category 1 campfire prohibition on Friday, July 12, at noon.
Robinson said that campfire prohibitions only go into effect when a number of different thresholds are met, which can include current and forecasted weather conditions and indexes.
He said the 10-year average for total fires and hectares burned for the Southeast Fire Centre is 68.9 fires and 329.5 hectares, but that so far this year, the region is well below the average, with 33 fires to date and 51 hectares burnt, despite seeing below seasonal temperatures throughout May and June.
“The Southeast Fire Centre has now entered a significant warming and drying trend this past week. So as indexes are climbing and nearing thresholds, we’re implementing this Category 1 campfire prohibition to limit any human-caused wildfires.”
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