A fire on Green Mountain, southwest of Nanaimo, in August 2020 scorched about 16 hectares and was caused by a late-July lightning storm. (submitted photo/Coastal Fire Centre)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

ISLAND FIRES

Dry spring, increase in human-caused fires drawing concern ahead of summer storm season

Jun 9, 2021 | 9:10 AM

NANAIMO — A near-record dry spring coupled with a warmer than average summer forecast is causing concern for the upcoming fire season.

The Coastal Fire Centre has seen 56 fires since Apr. 1, with all being human-caused however none are currently active. The tally is well up on the 10-year average of 29 fires over the same time period.

Erika Berg, information officer with the BC Wildfire Service, said the region is moving into a critical time where rain is needed to set up a favourable summer.

“The amount of precipitation we receive in June especially, can really influence the fire season ahead in terms of how dry the fuels are leading into the core summer months as well as the probability of lightning tends to increase and a signficant lighting event can strain our resources.”

A lightning storm in late July 2020 sparked in a significant fire on Green Mountain, southwest of Nanaimo. The fire burned approximately 16 hectares over a number of days.

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Two weeks later, another significant lightning storm resulted in around 1,800 strikes across Vancouver Island and led to a string of fires across the central and southern portions of the Island, including one on Mt. Benson.

It’s the risk of lightning strikes which draw the most concern from fire responders as lightning-caused fires typically occur in multiple places at once.

“We really want to keep those human caused starts down so in the event we do have a large spread lightning event which is far more likely during (the summer), we can ensure our crews are available and not preoccupied with human-caused fire starts.”

In a typical season, 60 per cent of total fires are caused by lightning.

Despite the increase in number of fires so far this year, the total land burnt is down on the 10 year average, with 70 hectares affected in the Coastal Fire Centre to date compared to the average of 77.

— with files from Jon De Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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