Though the Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 fire danger rating is low to moderate at this point in July, wildfire season is still in full-swing.

With long-range weather forecasts predicting a drop in precipitation and a rise in temperature, a UBC Okanagan associate professor in earth, environmental and geographic sciences has detailed what the Okanagan is expecting this season.

害羞草研究所淪imply put, the Okanagan is a semi-desert area in a rain shadow,害羞草研究所� said associate professor David Scott.

害羞草研究所淏ecause of this lack of precipitation, we are vulnerable to fire because we are dry, and also because we have built up fuel loads by decades of fire suppression.害羞草研究所�

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The federal government recently released a that details the increased warmth in Canada害羞草研究所檚 future climate.

Scott said that that could impact Okanagan wildfire seasons in the future.

害羞草研究所淲hat that means for us is that summer starts earlier, summer is longer and there害羞草研究所檚 more opportunity to dry out the environment, so the fire danger is going to be greater overall,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 not to say we won害羞草研究所檛 have cooler or damp summers in between 害羞草研究所� climate is always variable 害羞草研究所� but for the big picture and the long-term situation, we害羞草研究所檙e going to be dealing with greater fire danger and nastier wildfire seasons.害羞草研究所�

is a provincial government organization designed to prevent and mitigate the impact of wildfires. Communities are being encouraged and assisted through the programs to manage wildfire risks.

Scott said that , a wildfire program that has helped Okanagan homeowners, is one way to prepare for wildfire season in the Okanagan.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a program that害羞草研究所檚 full of straightforward and practical advice for homeowners on how to clean up their properties in preparation of wildfire season,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淧eople need to take responsibility for their land and manage their fire risk. The public shouldn害羞草研究所檛 feel like they害羞草研究所檙e helpless 害羞草研究所� there害羞草研究所檚 a lot they can do to help themselves.害羞草研究所�

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Time will tell what this wildfire season will look like in the Okanagan, and predictions are hard to come by.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e really waiting to see what Mother Nature will do,害羞草研究所� said Scott.

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