BC’s snowpack at lowest level ever for May

There are concerns that B.C. could be in for a summer drought and a hot fire season to go along with it.

Our unusually warm spring has melted the winter snowpack more quickly than usual, especially in the interior region of B.C.

The River Forecast Centre says the provincial average snowpack is now at 53 per cent, which is the lowest level ever for May.

“We’re seeing a shift into the early part of the season in terms of melt,” said Dave Campbell from the River Forecast Centre. “Some things are happening earlier than normal and that will put pressure later into the season.”

Stage 1 water restrictions in Metro Vancouver will begin this Sunday, May 15. The city is hoping the international celebration of Drinking Water Week in May leads into a “water wise summer.”

Fire bans are also being put in place now.

The bans are in the coastal and Kamloops fire regions, an area that covers much of Southern B.C.

An open burning ban has been in place across the Cariboo and Prince George region for several weeks already.

At the same time, Surrey firefighters say in the past two week they have had to put out 26 brush fires, mostly started by smoldering cigarette butts.