Though the Okanagan鈥檚 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.
鈥淪imply put, the Okanagan is a semi-desert area in a rain shadow,鈥� said associate professor David Scott.
鈥淏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.鈥�
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The federal government recently released a that details the increased warmth in Canada鈥檚 future climate.
Scott said that that could impact Okanagan wildfire seasons in the future.
鈥淲hat that means for us is that summer starts earlier, summer is longer and there鈥檚 more opportunity to dry out the environment, so the fire danger is going to be greater overall,鈥� he said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 not to say we won鈥檛 have cooler or damp summers in between 鈥� climate is always variable 鈥� but for the big picture and the long-term situation, we鈥檙e going to be dealing with greater fire danger and nastier wildfire seasons.鈥�
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.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a program that鈥檚 full of straightforward and practical advice for homeowners on how to clean up their properties in preparation of wildfire season,鈥� he said.
鈥淧eople need to take responsibility for their land and manage their fire risk. The public shouldn鈥檛 feel like they鈥檙e helpless 鈥� there鈥檚 a lot they can do to help themselves.鈥�
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Time will tell what this wildfire season will look like in the Okanagan, and predictions are hard to come by.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really waiting to see what Mother Nature will do,鈥� said Scott.
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