While forest fires have thankfully not been an issue on the mid island this season, Coastal Fire Centre personnel are taking a guarded approach to the rest of the season. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

fire threat

Crews closely watching forest fire threat as drought conditions persist

Jul 22, 2019 | 2:14 PM

NANAIMO — A slow forest fire season on the mid island is not being taken for granted by Coastal Fire Centre crews who fully expect more challenging conditions.

Fire information officer Nicole Gagnon said while the number of fires and hectares burned on the south coast is down compared to 2019, the 98 fires and 328 hectares scorched this season are on par with the 10-year average.

“We’re still looking at a long range of above average temperatures and below average precipitation through until October. But we did experience a drought through the spring.” _{Nicole Gagnon}

Gagnon said the forest floor just beneath the surface is dry despite at times heavy rain in recent weeks.

She said implementing a campfire ban is often discussed but not an imminent measure.

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“It would require consistent dry temperatures before the upcoming long weekend to consider a campfire ban.”

The last time a campfire ban was not implemented in the Coastal Fire Centre was in 2012.

Category two open fires are banned on the south coast.

The forest fire danger rating on the mid island was listed between moderate and high as of Monday afternoon.

The latest provincial data indicated Vancouver Island’s snowpack levels are two per cent of normal.

A level three drought level, which is considered very high, remains in place.

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