Quiet with potential. This phrase describes the current wildfire situation across the province. There have been some notable exceptions – the large and uncontained fire at Tyaughton Lake west of Lillooet and the huge blaze northwest of Liard Hot Springs near the Yukon border. Elsewhere, the wait is on for fire starts from lightning strikes or careless fire handlers in the woods.
Earlier in the spring, some homes were lost in the 70 and 100 Mile house areas after gusty winds caused deliberately set fires in overwinter grass to rage into pine beetle damaged trees. The sunny and warm weather over the past couple of weeks ‘greened-up’ the land surface. However, with little if any recent rainfall, most of the province is rapidly drying. Fire hazards are starting to reach high to extreme levels.
In most springs, the prevailing west to southwest flow aloft brings a succession of ridges and troughs across the province. The showers associated with the troughs keep the fire hazard rating at a reasonable level. This year, a persistent ‘blocking ridge pattern’ has steered frontal systems well away from the province. Eastern areas, closer to disturbances moving through Alberta, have had some rain, but the rest of BC has been considerably warmer and drier than average.
In the Shuswap, the danger rating has reached the extreme category in the past week. Only a trace of rain has fallen since May 20th. There are some showers in the forecast in the next few days but these should be the hit and miss variety. There is a chance of thundershowers with local heavy downpours that could provide some relief. However the lightning strikes will certainly start a few fires.
The current long range forecast for the province calls for mostly sunny and warm weather in the north with some cloud and a threat of scattered showers or thundershowers, but staying mainly dry in the south. Unless there is a pattern shift in the next few weeks bringing more extensive rains, fires are inevitable and it could be a very challenging summer for fire crews.
I received some feedback from my request for favourite weather movies. Tom Crowley, sent me a lengthy list of titles with Jean de Florette and the sequel Manon of the Spring his top picks. He writes “For the sheer scope of human tragedy and happy ending, involving the importance of rain and groundwater in Provence, Gerard Depardieu and Yves Montand do an amazing job as the leads, with rain and overall water-availability being utterly dominant in the lives of the simple, French country agriculturists.”
Another movie Tom likes with Canadian content: My Winnipeg – “Existentially harsh winters shape lives and moods and aspirations at Portage and Main”. Finally, a movie featuring storms on the BC Coast: Far from Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog – “A survival epic of a boy and dog on the B.C. coast.”
I was glad to see Groundhog Day made the list, a personal favourite of mine. Thanks a lot Tom for your movie selections and especially your insightful descriptions! I’m eagerly looking forward to renting some of them.
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