Wildfire activity remains seasonal in most of the province with heightened in activity within the Kamloops and Southeast fire centres. As temperatures stay high and further drying of fuels occur we will continue to see an increase in fire behaviour and activity in these areas.
Of the 256 new wildfires in the past week, 220 were caused by lightning. 21 were human caused and 15 were undetermined.
More lightning is forecast today across Central and Southern B.C, and tomorrow in the Chilcotin and the Prince George Fire Centre. Based on current fuels conditions we anticipate this lightning will cause more wildfire starts. The BC Wildfire Service will closely monitor areas that are susceptible to ignition. Resource levels are adequate for current and anticipated conditions.
There are currently six wildfires of note in the province. Regular updates on these incidents are provided on the Wildfires of Note webpage.
Weather forecast
This afternoon, temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s across southern regions of the province but remain seasonal up north. Today and tomorrow we will be monitoring lightning risk throughout the south. Scattered risk of thundershowers and low amounts of precipitation are expected in the central zone and parts of the Peace. On Monday the weather pattern begins to change which will bring afternoon thunderstorms across Southern and Central B.C.
The next Provincial Wildfire Status Update will be provided on August 22, 2022.
Life as an Air Attack Officer
Over the past week, the provincial airtanker program has been hard at work assisting ground crews in initial attack response across the province.
Those who fly for the BC Wildfire Service provincial airtanker program have some of the most visible jobs in the organization. Whether training or actioning a fire, they can be seen and heard for kilometres. For Jeff Austin, it may be just another day on the job, but the excitement has yet to wear off after 28 seasons in the birddog.