Slow start to wildfire season welcome news for B.C., but the heat is coming
Posted July 26, 2019 6:16 am.
Last Updated July 26, 2019 10:21 am.
CAWSTON (NEWS 1130) – Fewer out of control wildfires in B.C. means fire and budget officials are breathing a little easier this summer compared to the last two.
The mild weather means the government is saving some cold hard cash, which comes as great news after it spent more than $12-million battling wildfires in 2017 and 2018.
In 2018, the wildfire season didn’t really spark up until the end of July. This time last year, the Shovel Lake fire near Fort St. John was just about to take off.
It started on July 27, burning more than 92,000 hectares, while the thick smoke turned day to night in Fort St, John.
So far this year, British Columbians haven’t been subjected to anything like that, but the heat is coming.
“Following an unseasonably damp first-half of July, conditions have begun to dry out as of late,” Meteorologist Russ Lacate says.
Looking ahead, he says August is looking like it will be trending drier — and a lot hotter.
“Now that’s partly for the Lower Mainland, but more so across the B.C. interior,” he adds. “That may yet lead to an increase in what has, so far, been a relatively low wildfire danger rating across B.C.”
This summer’s more balanced temperatures and consistent precipitation have also been a delightful shift for those who like to camp and eat smores. Even now, there are no provincial campfire bans in place.
“Historically speaking, this season’s wildfire danger rating province-wide is comparatively low,” Lacate says. “Can you recall the last time you were able to have an open campfire this late in July?”
Meantime, crews are battling a fast-growing wildfire burning near Cawston in the south Okanagan.
The Richter Mountain fire was first spotted on Wednesday, and is now believed to be about 80 hecatares in size.
Crews and aircraft responded to the Richter Mountain #BCwildfire today. They made good progress and the fire remains at ~60 ha. Please note this size may change upon completion of a ground track of the perimeter. 20 personnel will remain on site overnight with heavy equipment. pic.twitter.com/osZMjvkDBp
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 26, 2019
The fire is believed to have been sparked by lightning.
