The Province has seen an increase in fire activity this weekend, and more hot and dry conditions are expected to come our way.
Claire Allen, Fire Information Officer for the Provincial Fire Centre, says that yesterday there were nine new wildfire starts across B.C.
That adds to the 11 fires that started on Friday, bringing the total number of active fires burning across the province to 60 as of today.
On Friday, Allen says that a weather system brought significant winds and some lightning activity to the northern part of B.C.
Of the 60 fires burning in B.C., 35 have been attributed to lightning. Another 19 have been deemed to be human caused, and the remainder are still under investigation.
Of the nine fires that started yesterday, five of those have been determined to be human caused, two were lightning caused, and two are under investigation.
The weather forecast is looking like it could be a challenge for fire crews, which Allen says is all the more reason for the public to be extra vigilant.
A remote 8 ha. fire is burning in steep terrain by the N Kliniklini River headwaters (Coastal Fire Centre). #BCWildfire Service has assessed the lightning caused fire and will monitor growth within natural boundaries. No communities threatened, but some smoke may be visible pic.twitter.com/mtsgZkbrp0
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 13, 2018
“It’s certainly looking like it could be challenging in terms of getting precipitation to the southern half of the province,” says Allen. “Our short and long-term forecast doesn’t look like a lot of precipitation or cooler temperatures are coming our way.”
Allen says there is a chance in the longer term forecast that lightning and thunderstorm activity could arise, and with the drying out of conditions that’s something they are watching out for quite carefully.
The fire danger rating has increased, especially in the past couple of days. In the Kamloops Fire Centre, it ranges from moderate to high. There are pockets around the Province that are experiencing extreme fire danger, including the southern portion along the U.S. border, the southern tip of Vancouver Island, and areas around Lytton, Lillooet and Merritt.
