In the midst of heat wave that is breaking temperatures across British Columbia, the BC Wildfire Service is imposing a ban on all open fires, including campfires, fireworks, tiki torches, outdoor stoves, sky lanterns, and/or burn barrels in the Greater Campbell River area. 

This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.

Heat Wave

The provincial weather forecast calls for record-breaking high temperatures throughout B.C. this week and follows a spring of lower-than-average precipitation in the southern half of the province. Hot/dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.

Campbell River set a new record – 39.6°C – on Sunday. Powell River and Comox set new records, of 38.4°C and 38°C , Monday.  

The heat wave has resulted in 65 deaths in Vancouver, 25 in Burnaby, 20 in Surrey.

At Heriot Bay: Volunteer Environment Canada weather observer Sharron Hatelt told the Bird’s Eye, “I have never recorded such highs in June before. On Friday we hit a high of 33°C and an overnight low of 19.5°C. Saturday the high was 34.5°C with a low of 18°C overnight, and Sunday the high temperature was 35°C, with a low overnight of 20.5°C.”

She also noted that Quadra has received less than 50% of its average rainfall for June.

On Cortes Island, Hall Manager Mary Lavelle posted in the Tideline: “Too hot? Come cool down at Manson’s Hall. Our heat pumps are set on cool, and internet is available (sign in and pay). We have a limit on numbers, but there are several rooms available as well as the hallway. Stay cool everyone!”

BC’s Rising emissions 

“ The current heat wave is a reminder that time is running out. B.C.’s lack of climate action has severe consequences that are already being felt today. We need immediate policy change guided by what science shows is needed to save life as we know it.”  said Jens Wieting, Sierra Club BC’s senior forest and climate campaigner.

BC’s emissions have risen at least 27% from 1990 until 2019, the last year we have publics records for.  During this same period, the European Union’s emissions dropped 28%.   

“If B.C. truly wants to become a climate leader, the province must follow the example of those countries that are setting climate targets based on what is needed to safeguard a livable climate, not wishful thinking. Meeting science-based targets will require stopping all new fossil fuel development, ending fossil fuel subsidies and phasing out the use and production of fossil fuels as quickly as possible.”

Links of Interest:

• (CTV) 59 temperature records broken in a single day as B.C. swelters under ‘heat dome’
• (Cortes Currents) articles about, or mentioning, BC’s emissions
• (Cortes Currents) articles about, or mentioning, Climate change
• (Cortes Currents) Canada is 1.7 degrees warmer than in 1948
• (Gov of BC) Campfires prohibited in British Columbia

Top photo credit: Heat wave: no AC by Rick&Brenda Beerhorst via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)

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