Warmer than normal summer forecast for most of B.C.

The good news? It's going to be a warm, dry summer.

The bad news? It's going to be a warm, dry summer. And that means an increased risk of wildfires.

After a long and wet spring, CBC Vancouver meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe says the long range outlook for much of B.C. is warmer than normal.

Environment Canada has released its forecast for May, June and July and most of the country, including B.C. has a 40 per cent or above probability of seeing temperatures that are above normal.

"The next month's rainfall will be crucial in determining how bad our fire season is but certainly not a good start," she said.

Summers in B.C. are getting hotter and drier with climate a trend that Wagstaffesays will continue. While it's possible to get colder than average seasons, she says thebaseline is shifting, so thathot and dry summers are the new normal.

The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System has also released its seasonal forecast map, whichpredictsthat most of the southern half of B.C. will be more vulnerablethan normal to wildfirethroughout June, July and August.

The seasonal wildfire forecasts use information from the same long range forecasts issued by Environment Canada to help give a sense of how severe the upcoming wildfire season might be," said Wagstaffe.

• Canadian Wildland Fire Information System Monthly Forecasts

Those seasonal wildfire forecasts are then used in the daily fire danger rating updates an invaluable tool that helps forest fire teams assess how fast fires can start and spread.

• B.C. Wildfire Service fire danger map

Watch the summer forecast for Canada

Warmer than normal weather outlook

6 years ago

Duration 2:03

Johanna Wagstaffe says much of Canada can expect a reversal of fortunes