As category 2 and 3 fire bans come into affect next week, BC Wildfire Service is looking ahead for spring and summer.
The 2023 wildfire season saw ongoing drought impacts, extreme fire behaviour and rapid wildfire growth and concluded with further drought across the majority of BC.
BC Wildfire Service said as the ground becomes frozen and forests become dormant, soil and vegetation’s ability to absorb water becomes limited, leaving little impact from snow and rain.
This leaves the current long-range forecast for spring to suggest a high potential for an active wildfire season in BC.
They added that the extremely low snowpack will also limit runoff, stream flows, and fuel moisture, which could limit drought recovery going into summer.
When it comes to May and June the BC Interior typically sees more rain, which depending on the amount and duration, it could affect the length and integrity of the wildfire season.
They said at this point, it’s too early to tell how much precipitation could be had, but expect elevated drought conditions to continue.
More information on the wildfire forecast can be found on BC Wildfire Service’s website here.