Apr 29, 2024 – Courtney Dickson/CBC News

Dozens of fires have already sparked in British Columbia this season — and many more are expected to ignite as spring turns to summer, and drought conditions persist.

The province says it’s been preparing for this summer for months, purchasing new firefighting equipment and recruiting firefighters in advance of what’s expected to be a “challenging” season.

“We’re taking action earlier than ever,” provincial Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma said in a news release.

B.C. is experiencing a record-low snowpack, and drought has plagued much of the province for months.

“Current forecasts indicate that British Columbia may experience an active spring-wildfire season due to persistent drought conditions,” the province said in a news release.

“This activity is expected to increase if there continues to be limited precipitation over the next several weeks and months. Until significant and sustained rains occur, the risk of ignition will remain elevated.”

Read the full article at cbc.ca.