Fire activity is down considerably in British Columbia so far this season compared to this time last year.
There are currently no active fires anywhere in the province, and Mother Nature has played a big part in that.
“We’ve had a considerable amount precipitation,” said Madison Smith, information officer for the Kamloops Fire Centre.
So far this season in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes the Okanagan and Shuswap, there have been 35 wildfires that have burned 117 hectares.
That compares to 87 fires and 992 hectares burned at this time last year.
Fire activity in the region so far in 2020 is also down from the 10-year-average of 64 fires and 1,004 hectares burned.
June’s cooler and wetter weather has contributed to a lower fire risk in B.C.’s Southern Interior.
“The danger rating in the Kamloops Fire Centre is low to very low,” Smith said.
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While that’s good news, Smith said it’s in no way an indication of what kind of a forest fire season the region may face.
“Predicting the severity of the upcoming fire season at this stage is too difficult to do,” Smith told Global News.
“While long-term weather models may indicate trends over time, weather cannot be reliably forecasted for more than a few days in advance, so we do maintain our level of preparedness.”
Despite the low fire danger rating, fire officials urge people to take care.
“If you are having a campfire or are out in the back country, we do just want you to still remain diligent and careful, “Smith said.
“If you are having a campfire, please never leave it unattended and make sure that your fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before you leave the area for any length of time.”
So far this year across B.C., there have been 169 fires and 662 hectares burned.
At this time last year, B.C. had already recorded 352 fires and 11,096 hectares burned.
The 10-year provincial average is 282 fires and 22,900 hectares burned, much higher than what B.C. has seen so far this year.
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