The Skeena
July 31, 2020: A weather alert from Environment Canada is warning of severe thunderstorms throughout the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District that could result in fires.
“Heat and moisture already in place will be released in the form of thunderstorms as the air mass destabilizes. Some of these thunderstorms may become severe and can be capable of generating strong wind gusts, heavy downpours and large hail,” the alert reads.
“Given the recent hot and dry weather, lightning strikes will increase the potential for wildfire activity,” it warns.
Overall, wildfire damage has been way down in the province when compared to the catastrophic summers of 2017 and 2018. But with summer temperatures heating up, the province is urging people not to be complacent.
“We’ve had a slow start to the 2020 fire season, but we need to remain vigilant,” BC Minister of Forests Doug Donaldson, said recently. “I would like people to remember that and think not only of their actions when it comes to preventing wildfires but the impact that it could have it could have on others…Specifically our BC wildfire fighting crews and contract crews and others in the community who would need to go out and address wildfires during these times of COVID-19.”
Environment Canada warns people in the Skeena Region to keep on high alert: “Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #BCStorm.”
