The summer weather likely won’t last the weekend, but B.C. can expect the next few months to be warmer and drier than normal — conditions that could create challenges for fire and flood management, but a bumper crop for farmers.
Environment Canada’s forecast sees sunny skies and 20-plus degree temperatures lasting to Friday in the Lower Mainland.
The UV index is expected to hit 6 — a high rating — on Wednesday in both Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, where temperatures will rise from 22 degrees Wednesday to 27 degrees by Friday.
But weekend rain is expected to dampen plans Saturday and Sunday in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Greater Victoria.
FARMERS LIKE IT
Take heart. Environment Canada’s three-month seasonal forecast anticipates higher than normal temperatures and lower than normal precipitation throughout most of B.C. (excluding the North) from May through July.
The recent blue skies and favourable forecasts are helping some farmers get a jump on crops.
Alf Krause of Krause Berry Farms in Langley, said his farm, which usually opens for strawberry season June 15, may have fresh berries for sale June 1 due to good growing conditions. U-Pick, he added would likely start around June 10.
BEES ARE BUSY
“This has been a good kick-start,” Krause said. “Things are growing very well. But we still have four weeks to go, so we’ll see what the weather does.”
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Krause said the clear skies have also helped with pollination as bees are out in force in the fields.
“It’s beautiful bee-buzzing weather. Especially when it’s nice like this, the bee workers are busy,” Krause said.
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STREAM FLOW ADVISORY
The spring freshet is also well under way. The province’s River Forecast Centre issued a high stream flow advisory Wednesday for the Okanagan, Similkameen, Boundary, Kootenay, and Thompson.
“Current river levels are below levels of concern, however the weather forecast from Environment Canada is for steady increases in temperatures in the South Interior through Friday.”
There is no indication at this point that 2013’s freshet will lead to the river levels seen last year.
SNOWPACKS NEAR NORMAL
Snowpacks are at or near normal in most areas, though a little higher in the Upper Fraser, Okanagan and South Thompson, but for the majority of B.C. normal seasonal flood risk is expected.
This includes the Fraser River, where a risk of a repeat of 2012’s flooding is pegged at five per cent and the risk of an historic flood besting 1948 levels is just one per cent.
The centre’s David Campbell stressed that could change.
“Higher flows are a possibility, but would require extreme weather to drive that,” he said, adding: “The weather we are getting now, if it were to continue, would be considered extreme.”
WILDFIRE CONDITIONS
The warm, dry conditions have also led to early wildfires and precautionary fire bans.
The official fire danger rating is moderate in most of B.C., with pockets rated high, according to the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch.
“The concern for us isn’t just the heat, but also the low level of humidity we’re seeing that’s creating ideal conditions for a wildfire to start,” said provincial fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek.
“A big determination toward how fire season will progress is the precipitation we will see in June.”
Skrepnek said 140 wildfires had been reported as of April 1, below the 10-year average of 153, but that 2,100 hectares had burned to date, about double the 10-year average. All but one of the fires were believed to be man-made.
BLAZE BATTLED
The agency reports there are 18 active wildfires larger than 10 hectares — the largest is the Spatsum Creek wildfire, located 10 kilometres south of Ashcroft.
That fire started April 27 and has grown to 245 hectares, exacerbated by the “high temperatures and low relative humidity.”
About 63 firefighters and three helicopters are fighting the blaze.
Campfires smaller than a half-metre wide and a half-metre high are still permitted in these regions, but should be well supervised.
To report a wildfire call 1 (800) 663-5555 or *5555.
BEARS RE-APPEAR
Bears are another seasonal threat, as warmer weather brings them into conflict with hikers and campers.
“In the northern parts of the province, the bears are just coming out now,” said Frank Ritcey, the provincial Bear Aware co-ordinator with the B.C. Conservation Foundation.
“We haven’t had any big incidents yet,” he said, “but it is very early in the season.”
He advised homeowners to keep garbage indoors until the day of collection, to take in bird feeders, clean barbecues well, and keep pet food inside.
When walking in the woods, dog owners should keep pets leashed.
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