Though the Okanagan乌鸦传媒檚 fire danger rating is low to moderate at this point in July, wildfire season is still in full-swing.
With long-range weather forecasts predicting a drop in precipitation and a rise in temperature, a UBC Okanagan associate professor in earth, environmental and geographic sciences has detailed what the Okanagan is expecting this season.
乌鸦传媒淪imply put, the Okanagan is a semi-desert area in a rain shadow,乌鸦传媒� said associate professor David Scott.
乌鸦传媒淏ecause of this lack of precipitation, we are vulnerable to fire because we are dry, and also because we have built up fuel loads by decades of fire suppression.乌鸦传媒�
READ MORE: Be prepared for smoke pollution this B.C. wildfire season
READ MORE: 435 insurance claims from Okanagan tree fruit growers so far this season
The federal government recently released a that details the increased warmth in Canada乌鸦传媒檚 future climate.
Scott said that that could impact Okanagan wildfire seasons in the future.
乌鸦传媒淲hat that means for us is that summer starts earlier, summer is longer and there乌鸦传媒檚 more opportunity to dry out the environment, so the fire danger is going to be greater overall,乌鸦传媒� he said.
乌鸦传媒淭hat乌鸦传媒檚 not to say we won乌鸦传媒檛 have cooler or damp summers in between 乌鸦传媒� climate is always variable 乌鸦传媒� but for the big picture and the long-term situation, we乌鸦传媒檙e going to be dealing with greater fire danger and nastier wildfire seasons.乌鸦传媒�
is a provincial government organization designed to prevent and mitigate the impact of wildfires. Communities are being encouraged and assisted through the programs to manage wildfire risks.
Scott said that , a wildfire program that has helped Okanagan homeowners, is one way to prepare for wildfire season in the Okanagan.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a program that乌鸦传媒檚 full of straightforward and practical advice for homeowners on how to clean up their properties in preparation of wildfire season,乌鸦传媒� he said.
乌鸦传媒淧eople need to take responsibility for their land and manage their fire risk. The public shouldn乌鸦传媒檛 feel like they乌鸦传媒檙e helpless 乌鸦传媒� there乌鸦传媒檚 a lot they can do to help themselves.乌鸦传媒�
READ MORE: Bike Skills Park in Kelowna is set to reopen
Time will tell what this wildfire season will look like in the Okanagan, and predictions are hard to come by.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e really waiting to see what Mother Nature will do,乌鸦传媒� said Scott.
To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.
newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
