File Photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

WILDFIRE THREAT

Threat of dry lightning has wildfire service preparing for new fire starts

Aug 10, 2022 | 4:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — Despite the Watching Creek wildfire being fully contained, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) is monitoring the incoming thunderstorm as a threat to increase fire behavior. The lightning is forecast to hit the region Wednesday evening (Aug. 10) and last possibly into Thursday.

“We have some disturbances coming up from the south in a southerly flow, which can be a dangerous flow for us in producing thunderstorms. That is what we are expecting this afternoon and also into this evening and even after midnight we could see thunderstorms and lightning until then too,” Bobby Sekhon, Environment Canada Meteorologist.

Environment Canada is not expecting very much precipitation with the thunderstorm, which could result in dry lightning across the region.

“With the thunderstorm event coming in we are expecting dry lightning and the precipitation wouldn’t be more than 5 millimetres — if we get any with it. Not substantial enough to dampen any new wildfire starts we see. With the lightning coming in the fuels are very susceptible to initiation and ready to light,” said Fire Information Officer Taylor Colman.

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The fire danger rating in the Kamloops Fire Centre is listed as high, however Colman noted that some areas, such as Merritt, are currently seeing extreme fire danger.

“Any fires that we get will be largely driven by the winds associated with the thunderstorms, we are expecting between 30-to-50 km/hr, locally where that thunderstorm activity is occurring. Any fire that we get we will see increased fire behavior and fire growth on,” added Colman.

The current system is expected to hang around the Kamloops area into the weekend. Meteorologist are also keeping an eye on a potential warming trend.

“Middle of next week, through the later part of the week, we could see a hot spell. Like I said, we could see highs into the mid-to-high 30s. Overnight lows, might be hard to get those to the heat warning levels, because of the longer nights this time of year. We will be watching that closely,” said Sekhon.

There is currently 11 fires burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre.