Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

WILDFIRES

Rain welcomed but more is needed to get the upper hand on wildfires

Aug 23, 2023 | 3:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Some showers fell over the Kamloops area Tuesday (Aug. 22) but Environment Canada reported only 2.2 millimetres of precipitation at the Kamloops Airport. While the amount was less than had been hoped for, it was welcomed by first responders fighting the wildfires in the region.

Forrest Tower, the Fire Information Officer at BC Wildfire Service said the rain brought cooler temperatures, which helped in the firefight. “Nothing of the amount that would put the fire out or have a long-term impact, but any amount of break in the weather, in terms of good firefighting weather, just makes things happen faster,” he explained.

The cooler wet weather won’t last long. Environment Canada is predicting an increase in temperatures in the upcoming days. “Temperatures are climbing up to high twenties and low thirties by this weekend and early next week, so a return of hot conditions are expected,” said meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau.

Tower said even though current conditions help crews in the short term, there is still a lot of work left on the fire. “Still have a lot of weeks left in terms of active fire behavior potentially, still drought conditions, so fires are most likely to burn into the fall.”

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Charbonneau said there is a chance of showers returning in the forecast next week. Kamloops can just hope it will help slow the fires.