Rain could end campfire ban

Expected cloud and precipitation over the coming days could mean the end of the campfire ban in the Coastal Fire Centre — and the last of hot summer temperatures.

Bans in other jurisdictions could also be affected.

“Absolutely, we’ll be looking at the campfire bans next week,” said Coastal Fire Centre spokeswoman Dorthe Jakobsen. “The weather forecast is for some hopefully significant rain this weekend, in which case we would be looking at the prohibitions and discussing when to rescind things.”

The Coastal Fire Centre, which includes Vancouver Island, has had a campfire ban in place since July 18.

There are 56 active wildfires burning on the north Island, but the situation is already improving due to changing weather.

The fire near Zeballos that was approaching the community on steep ground is now being held, while the evacuation order and evacuation alert that are in effect in the area are being reassessed.

“Fire activity is less,” Jakobsen said. “It’s cooler days, more humidity, so the fires are behaving better.”

Still, a smoky skies bulletin was issued for Victoria, Saanich, the West Shore and the rest of Vancouver Island on Thursday afternoon.

There is more cool air on the way. Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven said a cooling pattern over the northern twothirds of B.C. is spreading to the rest of the province.

“Goodbye to our nice, summerlike weather,” she said.

“We’re going to move to a cool, showery pattern beginning overnight [Thursday].”

Precipitation is expected over much of the Island. Erven said there is a 60 per cent chance of showers today in the capital region and a forecast high of 16 C, which follows a sunny Thursday with a high of 23 C.

“There’s a chance for showers to continue throughout the day on Saturday,” she said. “And then it’s looking like another, more significant system winding up for Sunday, delivering more rain.”

The cloudy, rainy weather should continue until at least the middle of next week, Erven said.

“In general, around this time of year for Victoria, typical daytime highs are about 20 degrees,” she said. “The daytime highs for the weekend into early next week range between about 15 degrees to 18 degrees, so staying a few degrees below normal.”