Dry weather and hot temperatures have fire danger ratings surging across the province.
Several B.C. communities, including Whistler, have been given an “extreme” fire danger rating by the Ministry of Forests.
The resort municipality has banned all campfires and officials are only allowing propane barbecues in the town’s parks.
That won’t be changing anytime soon, according to Coastal Fire Centre Information Officer Marg Drysdale.
“We are looking at an unusually warm July. Environment Canada is telling us that it is a hotter and drier July than normal,” she said. “What August brings us we never know.”
Drysdale said the popular tourist destination is prone to fires because it’s in the Pemberton Valley – and valley bottoms tend to be hotter and drier than other areas.
Anyone who breaks a campfire ban faces a $345 ticket or, if convicted, a fine of up to $100,000 plus jail time, according to the ministry.
Meanwhile, dry weather continues to smother the Lower Mainland – which Environment Canada said hasn’t seen a drop of rain for 25 days now.
The region still has a long way to go to beat the record for longest dry spell – set at 58 days back in 1951.
Environment Canada said there’s no chance of rain in the forecast until July 26 at the earliest.
Areas including Salmon Arm, Vanderhoof and Scar Creek were also deemed to be at “extreme” risk of fire, according to bcwildfire.ca.
Click here to find the fire danger rating for your area.
