Cool weather to bring relief for B.C. firefighters but also possibility of thunderstorms

BRITISH COLUMBIA (NEWS 1130) – Some relief may be on the way for firefighters across the province with cooler weather in the forecast starting this Friday; but it’s not all good news, as cooler temperatures may bring new challenges.

B.C.’s chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek says heat is not the only thing that could hinder their efforts.

“With that system coming through we are expecting a cold front that is going to bring about increased winds and that is more than likely going to bring some thunderstorm activity with it as well,” he said.

RELATED: Wildfire destroys dozens of buildings in northern B.C.

Unless those thunderstorms bring a lot of rain, it could make things worse, Skrepnek added.

“Southern B.C. could get a little bit more rain than what we had been anticipating. Having said that, it’s going to be very temporary and we’re talking maybe in the three to five-millimetre range,” he said. “Definitely better than no range at all but at the same time, not anything that’s going to put a significant dent in the fire season.”

Some fires of note include two burning near Telegraph Creek in the northwest and the Snowy Mountain fire right down along the border south of Keremus.

Meanwhile, the fire near Nanaimo Lakes is still out of control.

Skrepnek said the province has seen more fires so far this year than this time last year, but they’re smaller and more spread out.

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