‘Trace’ rainfall quells flames, but drought wracks B.C.’s fire-stricken south Cariboo

An update by British Columbia’s wildfire service says trace amounts of rain helped dampen part of a fire that has destroyed homes in the south Cariboo region, but it wasn’t enough to make a dent in the persistent drought wracking the area.

The service says the scant rain on the northern flank of the Pear Lake blaze helped prevent the extreme fire behaviour that could have resulted from strong winds on Tuesday, but the drought has left forest fuels highly susceptible to ignition.

The province’s drought map shows the south Cariboo — where the fire destroyed homes in the Clinton, B.C., area last week — is at level four on a scale of five.

The wildfire service says a warming and drying trend was returning after a few days of cooler temperatures, bringing the potential for heightened fire behaviour.