B.C. Wildfire Service Predicts New Fires in August and Significant Growth Among Current Fires

The latest wildfire report from the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) is predicting new fires in August and significant growth among current fires of note. According to the report, “The wildfires burning across the province require a large number of wildfire personnel and will continue as such until extended periods of precipitation are received across the province.” Hot, dry conditions are expected to return mid-week, particularly in the interior and southeast of the province, which remains at high risk for wildfires.

According to BCWS, there were 935 new wildfires in B.C. between July 1 and August 5 this year, 70% of the year’s fires to-date. More than 5,500 square kilometers of forest have burned so far, five times more than the 10-year average for this time of year.

Philippe-Alain Bergeron, meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada is expecting temperatures across much of the province to be “well above normal” and peak between Wednesday (8-11-21) and Friday (8-13-21). Bergeron went onto say that the limited rain that fell over the weekend wasn’t enough to significantly impact wildfires. “You need a few days of rain, or you need really high amounts. Noting that while the weekend’s rain provided a break in the heat, “it’s not enough.” Bergeron said July was “exceptionally warm” for southern B.C. It was the warmest-ever July for the southern interior and the second warmest July ever measured at the Vancouver airport. “And of course, it was tied for driest because there was zero precipitation,” he said. Bergeron said the last time there was no rain in July in Vancouver was 2013.