Kamloops Fire Centre As of August 2, 2012, the Kamloops Fire Centre has

responded to 197 wildfires that consumed 834 hec-

tares since April 1, 2012. This is below the 10-year

average of 313 wildfires, burning a total 5,014

hectares.

While the early summer saw significant precipitation,

July brought hot and dry weather. The onset of

intense thunderstorm activity across the region

yielded many lightning-caused fires.

The Wildfire Management Branch is monitoring the

weather conditions closely and has resources

available to respond to any incidents that may occur.

Our open fire prohibition (see Page 2) remains in

place until the fall. While campfires are still permit-

ted at this time, we are increasing patrols to

ensure that safe campfire practices are being

followed.

With the B.C. Day long weekend nearly upon us,

there will be an influx of people enjoying the out-

doors. With this heightened level of activity, we ask

that the public remain vigilant when in the

backcountry.

For the latest information on fire activity, current

prohibitions and conditions, visit the Wildfire

Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca.

August 2, 2012

Fire Zone # of Fires # of Hectares

Clearwater 5 0.1

Kamloops 46 45

Salmon Arm 9 1

Vernon 9 1

Penticton 43 49

Merritt 66 534

Lillooet 16 205

Info current as of noon on August 2, 2012

P A G E 2

Current Prohibitions and Restrictions

Open Fires

Campfires

Forest Use

Effective at 12 noon on Friday, June 15, 2012, the open burning prohibition was expanded across

the entire Kamloops Fire Centre in order to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the

public.

Specifically prohibited is;

burning any waste, slash or other material;

burning stubble or grass; and

the use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description.

The ban does not prohibit campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or

cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. People lighting a campfire must maintain a fire-

guard by removing flammable debris from the campfire area, and must have a hand tool or at least

eight litres of water nearby to properly extinguish a fire escape.

This ban covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of

local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department.

Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.

Anyone found in contravention of an open fire ban may be issued a ticket for $345, or, if convicted

in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or

contributes to a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and be ordered to

pay all fire fighting and associated costs.

P A G E 3

Precipitation

Temperature Relative Humidity

These maps are for informational purposes only and should not be used for operational decisions

Fire Danger Rating

These maps are current for August 2nd, 2012

For the most recent weather maps, please see www.bcwildfire.ca/weather

Most recent forecast for KFC

Kamloops

Fire Centre Statistics

Since April 1, 2012:

Fires to date: 197

Hectares burned: 834

Person-caused fires: 91

Lightning-caused fires: 105

2011 at this time:

Fires to date: 105

Hectares burned: 213

Person-caused fires: 64

Lightning-caused fires: 23

2009 at this time:

Fires to date: 669

Hectares burned: 22,779

Person-caused fires: 223

Lightning-caused fires: 441

2003 at this time:

Fires to date: 304

Hectares burned: 10,882

Person-caused fires: 216

Lightning-caused fires: 88

SYNOPSIS: An upper low moving into central Alberta this morning

will bring a chance of some shower or thunderstorm activity today in

the North Thompson and Monashees. As the low moves away, it will

be replaced by an upper ridge building from southwest to northeast

over B.C., putting the forecast region in a dry north to northwest up-

per flow. The ridge will be the predominant weather feature through

Saturday and on Sunday a four corners high will develop and

strengthen the ridge. Weather conditions will remain hot and dry

through the period.

TODAY:

Subsident zone: Morning cloud becoming mainly sunny by after-

noon. Winds becoming northwest 20 to 30 km/h by afternoon. High

temperatures 24 to 28. RH values dropping to 25 to 35 per cent.

Monashees and North Thompson: Mainly cloudy with a chance of

isolated showers or thunderstorms. Winds variable at 10 to 20 km/h,

except erratic and gusting to near 70 km/h near thunderstorms. High

temperatures 19 to 23. RH values dropping to 30 to 40 per cent.

TOMORROW:

Subsident zone and Monashees: Mainly sunny. Winds light and

variable to northwest 20 km/h. High temperatures 28 to 32 and RH

values dropping to 20 to 30 per cent.

North Thompson: Mainly sunny. Winds southwest 10 to 20 km/h.

High temperatures 24 to 28 and RH values dropping to 25 to 30 per

cent.

3 TO 5-DAY OUTLOOK: Hot and dry for Saturday, Sunday and

Monday with temperatures in the low to mid-thirties. Winds light and

variable on Saturday, variable at 20 km/h on Sunday and west 20

km/h on Monday.

6 TO 10-DAY OUTLOOK: Upper ridge through Day 9 giving hot and

dry conditions. Possible upper ridge breakdown on Day 10.

VENTING: Good. Plume drift light southerly.

.

Info current as of noon

on August 2, 2012

P A G E 4

Valid as of 8:30 Thursday, August 2 2012

P A G E 5

As of August 2nd the fire danger rating is Moderate to High throughout most of the Kamloops Fire Centre,

with pockets of Extreme around Merritt and Adams Lake.

As described in our weather forecast on the previous page, we are expecting hot and dry weather for the

next 10 days. This will further raise our fire weather indices (see Page 6 and 7) and present optimal

conditions for wildfires to ignite.

While June was cool and wet, the Drought Code for the Kamloops Fire Centre (seen below and explained fur-

ther on Page 7) remains above normal, especially in the western areas of the Fire Centre. As well, the loose

top layer of the forest, measured by the Fine Fuels Moisture Code, has heightened with the hot and dry

weather experienced throughout most of July.

With this in mind, please pay particular attention to the Fire Danger Rating in your area. Ensure you are using

the appropriate weather station data for the area in which you are operating and are adhering to the shut-

down formulas in the Wildfire Regulation. As conditions warrant, we may issue special Industry

Information Bulletins to our forestry partners with specific information regarding backcountry conditions and

hazards.

Remember, if you discover or cause a wildfire, you have an obligation to report it, take action with available

resources and extinguish it, if practicable.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Industry Guidance

Fine Fuel Moisture Code Drought Code

P A G E 6

Kamloops Fire Centre Indices for August 2, 2012

P A G E 7

An explanation of fire weather statistics

The information collected from our weather stations (as seen on the previous page) is used to develop codes

that reflect to how dry the different classes of fuels are in the forest. Using this information, preparedness

levels (and our Fire Danger Rating) are set on a daily basis.

The FFMC (Fine Fuel Moisture Code) is a code that measures the dryness of fine fuels (grasses, needles, etc).

A number of 85 or higher indicates a good chance of a fire start from an ignition source. Once 90 or higher is

reached, all the fine fuels are available to burn.

The DMC (Duff Moisture Code) measures about 10 cm into the ground and is an indication of whether a fire

that starts will continue to burn in the duff. A number of 40 or greater would indicate that a fire will con-

tinue to burn.

The DC is the Drought Code, measures deeper in the ground. A number of 300 or greater indicates that the

fire will burn deep into the ground, providing challenges to mop up the fire.

The BUI (Build Up Index) is a numerical rating of the total amount of fuel available for combustion using the

DC and DMC figures.

The Danger Class is the typical Fire Danger Class that is seen on fire signage. The numbers 1 and 2 represent

“Low”, 3 is “Moderate”, 4 is ‘High” and 5 is “Extreme”. A map of the current fire danger ratings is on Page 3.

If you have any questions about which station you should be monitoring, please contact your company for-

ester or fire zone. for information.

Industry and Stakeholder Online Resources

For information about high-risk activity

restrictions, details about the Wildfire Act and

Regulations, prescribed fire guidelines and

information for contract crews, aircraft and

equipment suppliers, please visit the link below.

http://www.bcwildfire.ca/

Industry_Stakeholders/

Contacts for Kamloops Fire Information We would like to provide our readers with the most current contact information for getting in touch with us.

Michaela Swan

Fire Information Officer

Office: 250 554-5532

E-mail: Michaela.Swan@gov.bc.ca

Kayla Pepper

Fire Information Officer

Office: 250 554-5530

E-mail: Kayla.Pepper@gov.bc.ca

Report a wildfire *5555 on a cell or 1-800-663-5555

Wildfire Information Line 1-888-3FOREST

Burn Registration Line 1-888-797-1717

Kamloops Fire Information Officer 1-250-554-5532

Important Numbers

For more information, visit our website at bcwildfire.ca

Wilson’s Landing wildfire

P A G E 8

Kevin Skrepnek

Fire Information Officer

Office: 250 554-5964

E-mail: Kevin.Skrepnek@gov.bc.ca

A photo taken from the air above the Wilson’s Landing wildfire, north of West Kelowna