KELOWNA – The Okanagan is known for its long, hot summers and its propensity for forest fires.
And that link between weather and fire will likely strengthen in coming years according to a University of Victoria professor who studies the impacts of climate change.
“I think there’s a direct link between global warming and fire risk,” says Francis Zwiers. “People are finding fires occur more frequently and more intensely now than in the past as a consequence of human influence on the climate system.”
A Canadian Forest Service research scientist agrees.
“It’s not going to be hot and dry every year,” says Steve Taylor. “But the frequency of severe fire seasons appears to be increasing, particularly in the last ten years.”
There are those who don’t believe human activity is warming the planet but Zwiers says it’s difficult to deny.
“If we talk about temperature on a large scale, the evidence is pretty much overwhelming.”
The two men are attending this week’s Wildland Fire Canada conference in Kelowna.
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