B.C. Wildfire Service forecasts increased fire threat as summer heats up

Temperatures are expected to rise and precipitation to fall in the coming weeks, leading to an increased forest fire risk,despitea dramatic drop in the number of fires so far this year, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said.

"Inevitably, we'll see an increase in fire activity,"BCWSlead forecaster Matt MacDonaldsaid Thursday.

"Even though we've seen a slow start to our fire season,all we need is a week or so of warm dry weather and a bit of wind, and our fuel conditions can change quite rapidly."

MacDonald is forecastingseasonaltemperaturesto hit most of the provinceby mid-Julyand continue through August.

"Not only will we see these summer-like temperatures finally materialize, but they will likely be warmer than normal, likely by the tune of a degree or two, which over a 30-day period is definitely noteworthy," MacDonald said.

Changeable daily local conditions, like lightning and wind, which are difficult to forecast, will be a deciding factor in the season's wildfire toll.

Theprovince's northwest and northeast, which havehad drier, warmer temperatures compared withthe rest ofthe province, are expected to face the greatest risk, theBCWS said.

Those conditions extended through to the Yukon, where 113BCWS firefighters havejoined local crews battling blazes.

As of early Thursday afternoon, there were 144 active wildfires across Yukon, including major fires in almost all regions of the territory.Several communities in the central territory haven't been ordered to evacuate, but remainunder an evacuation alert issued a few days ago.

LISTEN| Communities are gearing up for the season

MacDonaldsaidB.C.'swetcool weather, including a late snowpack, led to a dramatic drop in the number of provincial wildfires so far this year.

Just 217 fires have been recordedfrom April 1 to July 4 about half the number compared withan average year. And all of themhave been smallerthan normal, burning2,748hectares in total, about 10 per cent of thenormal amount.