Lightning risk increases chance of more wildfires in B.C.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Most of B.C. has seen a long stretch of dry weather, and the risk of thunderstorms and lightning is increasing the risk of more wildfires in the days to come.

The wildfire danger rating for most of central and southern B.C. is in the high to extreme range, according to Meteorologist Michael Kuss, who notes there’s little precipitation in sight.

“On top of that, it’s still going to be a little unstable, and that means increased risk for lightning,” he said, explaining that risk increases into the weekend and early next week.

“It looks like even early next week, as a lingering low hovers over northern Manitoba and creates some instability all the way back into central B.C.,” Michael added.

The #BCWildfire Service is anticipating another very challenging day with wildfires. Unprecedented hot and dry conditions experienced over the last several days have resulted in fuels being extremely susceptible to ignition. pic.twitter.com/TEtzUtxe2P

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 1, 2021

Many parts of the province continue to deal with high temperatures, adding to concerns and creating even more dry conditions across the province. The risk of lightning is a worry to firefighting crews, who are bracing for what could be a busy wildfire season.

Thursday night, the BC Wildfire Service says lightning sparked a fire near Kamloops, which led to evacuation orders and alerts. The fire is just one of an estimated 70 new ones sparked between Thursday and Friday, many of which are believed to be caused by lightning.

“The province is still exhibiting high to extreme fire danger rating. Fuel susceptible to ignition and those new starts are challenging due to ease of spread, that’s what we saw last night,” Erika Berg with the BC Wildfire Service said.

Temperatures are expected to moderate slightly Friday, However, the drying trend continues and so does the risk of spread of wildfires.

On Thursday, Premier John Horgan said 29,000 lightning strikes were reported in a 24 hour period.

“I cannot stress enough how extreme the fire risk is at this time in almost every part of British Columbia,” Horgan said, pleading with people to be alert and to heed any warnings.

Related articles: 

• Lytton wildfire evacuees search for loved ones as many remain unaccounted for

• Crews battling dozens of fires sparked by people, weather

• ‘The situation is very, very dire’: 90 per cent of Lytton burned, says BC MP

“Firefighters are putting their lives on the line to protect us. Let’s not add to their frustration, let’s not add to their challenges by being the [cause] of a fire. We can’t do anything about lightning strikes, but we can do something about our personal behaviour,” he urged.

Meanwhile, the wildfires burning in the B.C. Interior are impacting air quality on the Lower Mainland. While modelling shows prevailing winds in the Interior moving much of the smoke toward the east, Metro Vancouver’s Air Quality Team says it expects some of it to begin invading the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver.

Just how bad the air quality will be impacted remains unknown.