Snow and subzero temperatures finally arrived, almost four weeks late to most of B.C., much to the delight of outdoor winter enthusiasts. Seeing snow blanketing the hills and mountains and cheerful skiers and snowshoers heading out to the runs and trails definitely puts a smile on anyone’s faces.
But this unusually late start to winter is worrisome, especially after the hot, dry summer and record-breaking forest fire season B.C. and Canada as a whole experienced last summer. Just a few months ago, forecasters were warning an unusually mild and dry winter was coming, thanks to El Nino and climate change.
And here we are. At the start of 2024 and only seeing winter conditions now.
While some will gripe at shovelling snow and having to traverse slippery, snow-choked mountain passes, the snow and cold is needed to maintain natural water levels and healthy cycles in the forests and wildlife.
Which brings us to a looming question: what does this mean for our region, and the province, for this year’s wildfire predictions?
It’s already not looking good. Almost two-thirds of the province’s fire zones were still experiencing moderate-to-extreme drought conditions, according to the British Columbia Drought Conditions Map. Low water levels in rivers and lakes with little precipitation expected between now and spring means low ground water levels to hydrate the soil and plant life.
Even then, with years of ongoing dry conditions having a cumulative effect on our drought situation, one wet spring or summer, or late heavy snowfall will be, pardon the phrase, a drop in an almost empty bucket.
It’s not morose or fatalistic, but proactive to be ready in the event we are next for a major fire. While steps are being taken to minimize risks, like thinning forests and clearing deadfall in some areas, we as individuals and communities have to take some responsibility to be prepared.
— Black Press