West Kelowna, B.C., has put an early end to open burning after a dry winter left the district vulnerable to forest fires.
"Normally at the end of April, we're starting to see the drier conditions," said Kerry Klonteig, West Kelowna assistant fire chief.
"But it's the middle of March and we're seeing it already."
This winter's accumulated snowpack was the lowest in 41 years, according to Okanagan records.
Some parts of the Interior saw less precipitation than they have in 65 years.
But the Ministry of Forests isn't panicking about the situation.
"The spring rains is what really changes things, adding on to what we had in winter," said Forest Protection Officer Jim Mottishaw.
He was in Summerland with Forest Service on Friday setting controlled fires to forest underbrush to help restore a grassland eco-system and reduce the intensity of wildfires.
After last summer's wildfires destroyed three houses and caused mass evacuations, the community of West Kelowna welcomed the early open burning ban and is keen for more proactive measures.
"Now it's a matter of applying for the funding and grants that are out there," said Klonteig. "We're in the process of doing that and we're waiting to hear."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Kent Molgat.
