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By Veronica Beltran

wildfire outlook

If periodic rainfall continues, wildfire season may not be bad: BC Wildfire Seasonal Outlook

Jun 22, 2020 | 12:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—The 2020 Wildfire season began with drier than normal conditions, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) so what does this mean for the rest of the Wildfire season?

The BCWS released their updated B.C. Wildfire Seasonal Outlook which says that the province remains in a weather pattern that is producing periodic rainfall, meaning that limited fire starts are to be expected if this pattern continues.

“If rainfall is received periodically throughout the spring and into June, larger fuels, requiring longer drying periods, are much less likely to ignite limiting fires to mostly fine fuels.”—B.C. Wildfire Seasonal Outlook

The wet weather patterns which we have been experiencing across the province, BCWS says can be difficult to predict as they are “unstable in nature.” Current weather models show variability as to whether or not the province will continue to see a patchy rainfall pattern, or move into a drying phase.

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BCWS also makes note that if lightning is accompanied by rain, there is a significantly less chance of ignitions. In July 2019 the province experienced 160,000 more lightning strikes than in in July 2018, however, the 2019 season had well below the long-term average number of ignitions—due to the fact that lightning came paired with rain. The 2018 wildfire season was a record-setting year for the BCWS, with many dry lightning ignitions.

While the province may be experiencing patchy rainfall conditions, there are areas across the province seeing warm and dry conditions, the perfect combination for wildfires. British Columbians spending time in the outdoors are urged to use caution with any activity that could potentially cause a wildfire.