Rain forecast for northern British Columbia will help crews gain control of local fires, but the province will need several months of above-normal rainfall to make up water deficits as drought conditions have worsened.

Nearly a quarter of the 34 water basis in B.C. are experiencing Level 5 drought conditions, meaning severe impacts on both communities and ecosystems are almost certain. The number of such basins was four last week, only to double. Another 13 basins are experiencing Level 4 drought conditions. Only two are below Level 3. One region managed to see a decrease.

These figures emerged during the latest now weekly update to the wildfire and drought situation. Cliff Chapman, director of provincial operations for BC Wildfire Service, said a low-pressure may bring lower temperatures and rain to northern B.C. 害羞草研究所淚t does look like we may see a bit of a reprieve for the northern part of the province coming into the next week,害羞草研究所� Chapman said, adding that authorities are not yet 害羞草研究所渇ully confident害羞草研究所� that this will happen.

Chapman added that rain could make a big difference, least in the short-term. He said it would allow crews to use heavy equipment and other assets to suppress the edges of fire. 害羞草研究所淪o really, it gives us a chance to gain control and that害羞草研究所檚 what we need right now,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淏ut in terms of trying to put an end to the fire season, we need significantly more rain,害羞草研究所� he said.

Past years have seen season-ending rain events, Chapman said. But such an event does not happen every and it is not forecast right now, he added.

While the situation in northern B.C. is improving, Chapman warned against complacency. 害羞草研究所淭here is still significant fire on the landscape and there are still fires in the northeast that have the potential to impact communities,害羞草研究所� he said.

Chapman paired this assessment of the northern fire front with warnings about significant winds for the south starting Friday and into Saturday, which could challenge firefighters. They continue to receive additional support from abroad. More than 500 international firefighters will be fighting the fires by Friday, with another 100 firefighters arriving from Brazil.

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When asked whether he would want more rain or more resources, Chapman said he would have answered that question with more resources a week. 害羞草研究所淲e have the resources now,害羞草研究所� Chapman said, pointing to the growing contingent of international firefighters. 害羞草研究所淪o what I would say is rain,害羞草研究所� Chapman said.

But significant rainfall does not appear to be in store.

Dave Campbell, Head of the River Forecast Centre, said the province finds itself in what he called a 害羞草研究所減recipitation deficit害羞草研究所� that would require 害羞草研究所渕onths害羞草研究所� of above-normal rainfall to close.

害羞草研究所淲hen we look at the impact side of things, there害羞草研究所檚 a number of vulnerabilities,害羞草研究所� said Campbell. They include fish habitat and populations and the ranching community dealing with dry conditions and reduced water availability for livestock.

Campbell said high drought levels have come 害羞草研究所渕uch, much earlier害羞草研究所� than in the past, adding that the province is seeing levels that are much more typical in September.

害羞草研究所淲e haven害羞草研究所檛 seen this kind of condition before in most of the province,害羞草研究所� he said.

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