We’re seeing the potential for BC’s first summer boil heading into the last week of July. A steep upper ridge will send temperatures soaring to the hottest levels so far this season. Hot and dry conditions are bad news for the province’s wildfire outlook, with existing fires potentially spreading and new fires starting. More on what to expect next week below.
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Next week: the ridge of the building allows the heat to rise
We anticipate the potential for an impressive heat event in British Columbia next week.
A strong upper-level ridge will form over the Gulf of Alaska early next week, extending as far north as the Arctic Circle.
The ridges promote sinking air, which is heated and dried as it descends to the surface. This kind of setup will allow for continued hot and dry weather for most of British Columbia through the last week of July.
Currently, forecast models show the ridge building just offshore, which will allow coastal communities to intervene in the excessive heat at times.
High temperatures can reach 30°C or higher in Vancouver, which in many cases is a difficult feat for a coastal city. For some perspective, Vancouver’s seasonal high for the last week of July is around 23°C. The heat could feel more like the mid-30s early next week.
The heat looks set to continue heading into the last weekend of July, with temperatures potentially reaching 40 degrees for parts of the southern interior.
The heat will feel especially harsh after a relatively mild and wet few months across British Columbia. An active pattern brought one storm after another to the countryside, keeping things on the cooler and wetter side.
Temperatures over the past 60 days have been near or below seasonal for much of the province. Over the past few months, most areas around the province have also seen near-seasonal rainfall.
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Existing wildfire growing, possibility of new fires with conditions
Steady and consistent rain over the past few months has increased the amount of growth and foliage in British Columbia. That growth could be a problem as conditions heat up and dry out, potentially fueling new wildfires that ignite during and after the heat wave.
Dry conditions combined with the extremely steep terrain of the Fraser Canyon has caused the Nohomin Creek wildfire to increase in size this week and may continue to do so in the coming days. There was some good news on Friday, however, thanks to the observed quieter fire behavior. This allowed the BC Wildfire Service and Lytton First Nation personnel to make progress on containment and emergency lines.
As of Saturday evening, the fire remained out of control and had grown to 2,503 hectares, according to the British Columbia Wildfire Service. However, temperatures will continue to rise and humidity may decrease over the next week, which could make it difficult for crews by causing increased fire behavior.
Today, the fire behavior of the Nohomin Creek Wildfire (K70580) is stable. As temperatures and winds increase in the coming days, fire behavior may increase. pic.twitter.com/M7eR2r58M6
Today, the fire behavior of the Nohomin Creek Wildfire (K70580) is stable. As temperatures and winds increase in the coming days, fire behavior may increase. BC Wildfire Service on Twitter: “Fire behavior today on the Nohomin Creek Wildfire (K70580) is stable. As temperatures and winds increase in the coming days, fire behavior may increase. pic.twitter.com/M7eR2r58M6 / Twitter”
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) BC Wildfire Service on Twitter: “The fire behavior of the Nohomin Creek Wildfire (K70580) is stable today. As temperatures and winds increase in the coming days, fire behavior may increase. pic.twitter.com/M7eR2r58M6 / Twitter”
As a result of the wildfire, air quality is poor in nearby communities due to the smoke. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for the Fraser Canyon, including Lillooet and Lytton.
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Lytton First Nation reserves issued an evacuation order on July 14. Thompson Nicolas Regional County issued an evacuation and warning order and declared a local state of emergency for the Blue Sky Country area last week.
Residents should monitor wildfire news closely and prepare for potential evacuations if local authorities issue advisories or orders.
A few simple steps you can take now to prepare for the threat of wildfires include:
- Create an evacuation plan long before fires have a chance to ignite
- Have a plan for pets and livestock in case fire threatens your property
- Assemble a handy emergency evacuation bag that includes personal necessities and important documents
- Make sure your property is trimmed and cleared of debris and watch out for flammable materials like outdoor furniture and propane tanks
- Don’t forget masks and respirators for potentially dangerous wildfire smoke
Tips for coping with the heat
The heat itself can also cause significant damage. Excessive heat is a leading cause of weather-related illness and death. The heat is particularly hard on vulnerable populations such as low-income households, the homeless, the elderly and people with health problems.
The effects of high heat are even worse when hot temperatures persist for several days. Hot days followed by muggy nights have a compounding effect on homes without air conditioning, leading to an increased risk of heat-related illness as the hot weather continues.
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Check back often for updates on this potentially impactful British Columbia heat event
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