Western Canada braces for early heat wave, raising wildfire risk in Alberta and B.C.
CTV
Western Canada is bracing for an unseasonable heat wave and dry spell that will raise the risk of wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia over the coming days.
Western Canada is bracing for an unseasonable heat wave and dry spell that will raise the risk of wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia over the coming days.
Environment Canada meteorologist John Cragg says there's little to no precipitation on the horizon, save for some potential for thunderstorms in parts of Alberta before temperatures heat up heading into the weekend.
Cragg says the heat is coming from a "blocking pattern," when the normal fluctuation of low and high pressures stops, and warm air flows into an area without the relief that usually comes from an influx of cooler northern air.
While the heat is expected to peak on Sunday or Monday, Cragg says there's potential for the temperature-raising blocking pattern to return later next week.
The weather office is forecasting temperatures will hit 30 C and higher in parts of Alberta that are already grappling with early season wildfires.
The Alberta government declared a provincial state of emergency in response to fires that have forced thousands of people from their homes.
Alberta's wildfire dashboard shows 76 active fires today, with most of the 23 fires classified as burning out of control clustered in the western half of the province.
