B.C. officials warn of early, ‘challenging’ wildfire season [Video]

Government and wildfire officials in British Columbia are warning that the province could see an early and active spring wildfire season due to persistent drought conditions that have left soil parched and snowpack levels low. 

Premier David Eby said Monday the summer “might be a very difficult one” after a record-breaking wildfire season in 2023.

Officials say early outlooks indicate a “high probability” of above normal temperatures across B.C. in the coming months, but added that drought and wildfire conditions this year will depend on the actual weather in the spring and summer.

The chance that the province will see enough spring “rainfall to alleviate drought conditions is unlikely but possible,” according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).

“We are certainly seeing some of the variables line up that we could have a very challenging fire season,” BCWS superintendent of predictive services Neal McLaughlin said during a media availability in …