May weather offers wildfire relief. But wait.

Jun 7, 2021 | 2:46 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – May was not the greatest month, weather-wise, with cool, wet weather. But that was great news for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.

“It certainly lowers the risk but it doesn’t eliminate it,” says Renee McCloskey with the Regional District of Fraser Fort-George.

That’s because May is traditionally the start of wildfire season. The Norman Lake wildfire started May 25, 2015, when there was still snow on the ground. The Bobtail Lake fire was sparked on May 11, 2020. But the largest wildfire of note in recent years, the Elephant Hill Fire, was started by lightning in July 2017.

In other words, wildfires can start at any time and Environment Canada says this cool spell will not last.

“Looking at several international models for the summer seasonal forecast, it does look like the likelihood of above-average temperatures for this summer, over the course of June, July, and August,” explains Bobby Sekhon, Meteorologist with Environment Canada.

For the Regional District, that message translates into “Be prepared for anything and this may be the perfect time to prepare yourselves and your homes.

“Are there some things that you could be doing to minimize any potential damage there would be, should there be a wildfire near you,” says McCloskey.

Move flammables away from the home, clear out dead trees and make sure you have a kit ready to do at any minute. For more information on how to fire smart your property, check out the Fire Smart website.