B.C. flood and wildfire update: period of stabilization predicted

British Columbia saw less rainfall over the weekend than what was forecasted, which should help stabilize communities challenged by flooding last week.

Bowinn Ma, B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management, told a flood and wildfire update on Monday (May 8), the Okanagan Indian Band, Cache Creek and Grand Forks can expect a period of stabilization for rivers in their areas throughout this week.

Ma said about 50 people across B.C. are under evacuation orders due to flooding, with another 2,000 on evacuation alert.

“This continues to be a devastating time for those people, and I’m keeping them in my thoughts,” Ma remarked.

The minister added warmer weather later this week will lead to accelerated snowmelt and may increase the flood risk.

Bruce Ralston, minister of forests, told the media conference, there are currently 62 active wildfires in the province.

“Of these, 91 per cent are under control or being held. Five active wildfires remain out of control,” Ralston stated

All six of B.C.’s regional fire centres seeing wildfire activity, but Ralston said the majority of the active fires — and all of the wildfires of note — are in the Prince George Fire Centre.

Dave Campbell from the River Forecast Centre says we’re about a quarter of the way through the provincial snowmelt process.

“Which has been very fast. We’re probably two or three times quicker in terms of the melt this year from the hot weather earlier in May,” Campbell commented.

Campbell said the rising temperatures this week could bring another period of elevated flood risk and potential flooding in areas that have not seen flooding so far this year.

Cliff Chapman, operations manager with the BC Wildfire Service, expects to see some impact from getting less rain than was forecast over the weekend.

“We will see a rebound to a moderate to high fire hazard with conditions forecast for the next week,” Chapman said.