The Coastal Fire Centre is monitoring a group of six lightning-caused wildfires in Strathcona Provincial Park to the west of Buttle Lake sparked on Aug. 6. They are being regularly monitored but not actively suppressed, as they do not pose a risk to public safety or infrastructure. (BC Wildfire Service on Facebook, Aug 16, 2023)

By Jordan Davidson

elevated threat

‘May be difficult days ahead:’ weather shift expected to drastically increase wildfire danger province-wide

Aug 17, 2023 | 3:25 PM

NANAIMO — Weather patterns are imminently expected to shift dramatically across B.C. as the province warns of a drastic increase in fire risk over the next day or two.

A fast-moving cold front is set to start sweeping across the province beginning in the north on Thursday, Aug. 17, and heading south towards the bottom half of the province by Friday morning.

Officials warn a cold, dry-front is expected to break down the existing high-pressure system which has caused the recent heat wave, creating strong, unpredictable winds, and the potential for dry lightning.

During a news conference on Aug. 17, the director of wildfire operations with the BC Wildfire Service Cliff Chapman joined other provincial ministers to explain exactly what this could mean for the province.

He said these drastic weather changes will likely affect every corner of the province, and British Columbians should be prepared for extreme fire behaviour over the next 24-48 hours.

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“We’ve been under a ridge of high pressure, that’s why we’ve been so hot and so dry the last number of days. You couple that with the extreme drought conditions that we’ve spoken about…over the course of the last number of months, and the conditions out in the forests are very prime to see significant fire growth, and to see new fires challenge our suppression efforts.”

He said sustained winds between 30-40 kilometres per hour and gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour can be expected province-wide.

Those winds are also expected to suddenly change directions, pushing wildfires in different and unpredictable directions, possibly threatening lives and infrastructure, Chapman said.

“Challenging all of the efforts that we’ve put in over the course of the last number of weeks to build containment lines, to use planned ignitions to secure the lines, and today (Thursday) and tomorrow will really see the success of those efforts,” he said.

As of Thursday morning, approximately 480 British Columbians were under an evacuation order, while nearly 5,000 are under an evacuation alert, mostly in the Caribou and Kamloops fire centres, according to the province.

More information about current evacuations order and alerts, as well as heat warnings and drought information, can be found here at emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca. You can also follow Emergency Info BC on Twitter or the BC Wildfire Service on Facebook.

Minister of emergency management and climate readiness Bowinn Ma said they are preparing for what “may be difficult days ahead”, and encourages everyone to prepare with an emergency evacuation kit, an evacuation plan, and to take all alerts and notices seriously.

“We are very concerned about the developing wildfire situation here in B.C… the conditions we are expecting, dry lighting and strong shifting winds, may lead to extreme fire behaviour. BC Wildfire Service crews are working diligently to secure fire guards on active wildfires, doing planned ignition operations, and ensuring that active perimeters of fire are out… we are urging people to stay calm, stay alert, and be prepared.”

Vancouver Island’s fire threat outlook

While the bulk of the storm is expected to sweep across the central Mainland with the highest possible impact on the Cariboo and Kamloops regions, Kimberly Kelly with the Coastal Fire Centre Kimberly Kelly said are prepared for the weather shift.

“We are already seeing these winds picking up. They’re expected to build into the night and overnight. Thankfully, with our forecast this (Thursday) morning, we are not seeing a risk of lightning across the spine of the central Island, but that is a prediction, not a promise.”

Kelly asks people to do their part to eliminating human-caused ignitions as much as possible, which seh said diverts critical resources from lightning or other naturally caused fires.

“Everyone has a role to play in wildfire dedication and we appreciate the public support.”

The forest fire danger threat across the mid Island region is mixed between high and extreme.

If you see smoke, you can report it by dialling *5555 on a cell phone, calling toll-free at 1-800-663-5555, or by downloading the free BC Wildfire Service app.

The ministers also acknowledged the situation going on right now in the Northwest Territories, as mass evacuations have been ordered for Yellowknife as a wildfire creeps towards the capital city.

While the majority of those fleeing the fire will be relocated to Alberta and Saskatchewan, the province said at least 55 hospital patients and care home residents are en-route to Vancouver, and they are prepared to assist further if needed.

You can watch the Aug. 17 news conference on B.C.’s current wildfire and drought conditions here.

A map of all the current wildfires in B.C. can be found here on the BC Wildfire Service website.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow