Thundershowers to Help B.C.'s Current Wildfire Situation?

Considering the stifling heatwave that has been smothering much of British of Columbia over the last few weeks, showers in the forecast will likely bring relief throughout the province and the Okanagan. However, with lightning in the forecast, is there a cause for concern?

According to Environment Canada, Friday’s forecast includes a 60 per cent chance of showers or thunderstorms beginning in the morning and moving into the evening. Winds are expected to move southwest at 20 kilometres an hour.

Thunderstorms are expected to continue into Saturday, breaking on Sunday. Moving throughout the week, Environment Canada is calling for rain until Tuesday.

Our incredibly dry and hot province is in desperate need of some rain, as over 30 new wildfires were sparked in British Columbia in only the last few days. Nearly 200 wildfires are currently burning throughout the province, and our wildfire budget is rapidly burning up.

Although the rain will help to alleviate the dry British Columbian landscape, the thunderstorms heading towards the Okanagan are cause for concern considering lightning can easily spark a wildfire.

Wildfire burning near Pemberton. (Photo Credit: BC Forest Fire Info Facebook.)

For example, the massive 20,000 hectare wildfire burning near Pemberton was sparked by lightning.

"In moist conditions, ignition caused by lightning may not immediately develop into a visible fire. Heat can build up underground for days or even weeks and then flare up in drier weather conditions," said the BC Wildfire Services.

Here in the South Okanagan, the Newby Lake fire burning near the U.S. border was also sparked by lightning. Burning in the dense wilderness of the Snowy Protected Area, this growing wildfire is difficult to fight because the high elevation of its location.

Although lightning-caused fires cannot necessarily be prevented, BC Wildfire Services remind residents that human-caused fires can be easily avoided with care and consideration. In May, a total of 87 per cent of fires sparked just in the Southeast Fire Centre district were preventable.

To report a wildfire or an unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555.