Though the Okanagansa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淪imply put, the Okanagan is a semi-desert area in a rain shadow,sa国际传媒� said associate professor David Scott.

sa国际传媒淏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.sa国际传媒�

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The federal government recently released a that details the increased warmth in Canadasa国际传媒檚 future climate.

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

sa国际传媒淲hat that means for us is that summer starts earlier, summer is longer and theresa国际传媒檚 more opportunity to dry out the environment, so the fire danger is going to be greater overall,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 not to say we wonsa国际传媒檛 have cooler or damp summers in between sa国际传媒� climate is always variable sa国际传媒� but for the big picture and the long-term situation, wesa国际传媒檙e going to be dealing with greater fire danger and nastier wildfire seasons.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 a program thatsa国际传媒檚 full of straightforward and practical advice for homeowners on how to clean up their properties in preparation of wildfire season,sa国际传媒� he said.

sa国际传媒淧eople need to take responsibility for their land and manage their fire risk. The public shouldnsa国际传媒檛 feel like theysa国际传媒檙e helpless sa国际传媒� theresa国际传媒檚 a lot they can do to help themselves.sa国际传媒�

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

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e really waiting to see what Mother Nature will do,sa国际传媒� said Scott.

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