The Coastal Fire Service says on Monday and Tuesday, the Island will see its first outflow winds of the wildfire season, which can fan sparks and flame and high rates of spread.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says continuing warm temperatures and changing wind patterns starting early next week are expected to increase the risk of wildfires on the Island.
A campfire ban on the Island could be on the way if drying conditions persist. A ban is already in place on one west coast Island First Nation’s territories.
The Coastal Fire Service said the Island will see its first outflow winds of the wildfire season on Monday and continuing on Tuesday as air flows out from the mountains through fjords and valleys toward the water.
Winds are expected to be moderate and accompanied by increased warming and drying conditions, the service said.
A return to typical southwesterly wind flow is expected on Wednesday.
“We will see the wind flow from the east, not the west, which is the usual pattern for the Island, bringing warm air from the mainland,” Wildfire Service spokeswoman Kimberley Kelly said Friday.
She said outflow winds have the potential to fan sparks and flames and high rates of fire spread.
Higher temperatures combined with a decrease in relative humidity dries out the fine fuels faster, increasing the potential for wildfire spread, Kelly said.
She said early detection of wildfires and public reporting will be crucial in ensuring firefighters can quickly attack new wildfire starts.
The current fire danger on the Island ranges from high to moderate for the south central coast and low on the northern end, though that could quickly change, Kelly said.
Although there is currently no category 1 campfire ban in the coastal region, the wildfire service says it is monitoring the conditions.
At least one First Nation on the Island isn’t waiting for the province, however, saying no wood-burning fires will be allowed at public and private campgrounds within its territories.
The Huu-ay-aht First Nation, whose territory stretches from Bamfield in the Barkley Sound region to Port Alberni, issued a ban on category 1 campfires on Thursday.
The First Nation said in a notice that the ban is in response to ongoing dry conditions, limited firefighting resources and the proximity of its lands to extensive forested areas.
Open campfires are no longer permitted in campgrounds within Huu-ay-aht territory at Haines Island, Hamilton Point, Kirby Point, Helby, Sarita River, Sarita Falls, Sarita Lake and Pachena Beach.
Category 1 campfires are defined as any fire smaller than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide, typically used for recreational purposes such as cooking or keeping warm. Portable propane fire rings are still permitted, as they don’t rely on wood burning and can be quickly extinguished.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation said it respects the importance of fire in cultural and ceremonial practices, and permission from the nation can be obtained if a fire is required.
The Island has so far come through the early wildfire season relatively unscathed. Three wildfires discovered over the past week are all well under half a hectare in size and under control.
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