Early heatwave prompts wildfire concern

The heat arrives as provincial fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek says the B.C. Wildfire Branch is scanning the monthly weather outlook, hoping to get a sense of the upcoming fire season.

He says predictions show the summer should be warmer than normal across the province.

But everything depends on expected June rainfall, and if those rains arrive Skrepnek says wildfires over the summer should not be as intense.

June rains were absent across B.C. last year and that combined with the very low snow pack led to wildfires that charred nearly 3,000 square kilometres of woodland, costing the province nearly $300 million.

Skrepnek says forecasting rain is very difficult more than a few days ahead.

“We are pretty confident, based on outlooks, that we are in store for … a little bit warmer than usual,” he said.

“That rain is really key to the wildfire situation.”

Early heatwave prompts wildfire concern

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