Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Hot spell hikes risks of flooding, avalanches and fire across British Columbia

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Apr, 2023 10:03 AM
  • Hot spell hikes risks of flooding, avalanches and fire across British Columbia

VANCOUVER — As British Columbia heads into its first warm spell of the year, forecasters are warning the heat could raise avalanche and flood risks, while the danger of wildfires has already nudged up to a "moderate" rating in some parts of the province.

The River Forecast Centre website says temperatures are expected to be at least 10 degrees above normal for many areas of the province right through the weekend before cooler weather and rain arrive next week.

The centre says mid-elevation snowpacks could begin rapid melting, issuing high streamflow advisories for areas north of Prince George, across the Cariboo, parts of the Shuswap and south through the Okanagan to the U.S. border.

Avalanche Canada predicts the sudden warming could also create dangerous conditions across every mountain range in Western Canada and it says the hazard will increase daily, raising the possibility of very large, deep avalanches running from mountain top to valley bottom.

While advisories urge those in the backcountry to use extreme caution on mountain slopes or near river banks, the wildfire service website shows a large region between Kamloops, Bella Coola and Prince George is ranked at a moderate risk of fire and two areas within that zone ranked "high" or "extreme."

Melting snow exposes dry, dead grass, and the wildfire service reports six small blazes have occurred over the last 24 hours in central B.C., including a seven-hectare fire rated as out of control west of Lillooet. 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. has no plans to cut gas taxes, Farnworth

B.C. has no plans to cut gas taxes, Farnworth
Alberta has responded by reducing its tax by 13-cents per litre on both gasoline and diesel. Farnworth says there's no simple solution to the rising fuel price situation as the cost rose above $2 a litre in Metro Vancouver.    

B.C. has no plans to cut gas taxes, Farnworth

Group opposes forced health transfers in B.C.

Group opposes forced health transfers in B.C.
Dying With Dignity says the service is being restricted because of an agreement that allows facilities covered by the Denominational Health Association to collect taxpayer dollars but refuse to perform services they oppose on religious or moral grounds. 

Group opposes forced health transfers in B.C.

Surrey's Vaisakhi parade cancelled third year in a row due to COVID19 concerns

Surrey's Vaisakhi parade cancelled third year in a row due to COVID19 concerns
The magnitude and planning of this event takes a full year to complete and given the tight turnaround between the constantly changing public health order restrictions being lifted and the scheduled date of the parade, organizers did not feel they could responsibly honour the importance and magnitude of the event in this timeline.    

Surrey's Vaisakhi parade cancelled third year in a row due to COVID19 concerns

Not all fleeing Ukraine offered Canadian haven

Not all fleeing Ukraine offered Canadian haven
The Canadian government is allowing Ukrainians who have fled Russian aggression to come to Canada temporarily for a period of two years "for those who need a safe haven while the war ravages their homeland," Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced last week.

Not all fleeing Ukraine offered Canadian haven

Canada sanctions 10 more Russians over Ukraine war

Canada sanctions 10 more Russians over Ukraine war
The new sanctions came on the first stop of a four-country tour of Europe, as Trudeau meets allies from across the continent to discuss and co-ordinate the West’s response to Russia’s invasion.

Canada sanctions 10 more Russians over Ukraine war

Quick thinking 13 year-old has keen instincts for safety

Quick thinking 13 year-old has keen instincts for safety
Police say the girl refused the offer made while she was walking near the Steveston United Church late yesterday afternoon. They say she refused again when man then offered money as an enticement for a ride and immediately notified her mother after she arrived home.

Quick thinking 13 year-old has keen instincts for safety