City of Dawson Creek warns residents to prepare for floods even as wildfires loom
'Hydroclimate whiplash' becoming more common as prolonged drought fuels fires and flooding, experts say
The City of Dawson Creek is warning residents of potential flooding in the coming days, a risk made worse by ongoing drought and wildfires in the region.
Environment Canada is forecasting showers starting Wednesday night and lasting through Saturday, while the B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory for much of the Interior, with up to 120 millimetres of rain expected in the Peace region in the days ahead.
The rainfall comes as the region is entering its third year of extreme drought conditions. The South Peace is at drought Level 4 on a scale that ranges from zero to five and multiple wildfires are burning in the region, forcing some residents from their homes.
Drought and wildfires can exacerbate one another and leave the province increasingly vulnerable to severe flooding, according to experts.
Drought kills vegetation and leaves soil exposed and hardened, with no root systems to help the soil absorb water when rain does fall, explained Younes Alila, a forestry professor at the University of British Columbia in a 2023 interview.
The drier ground can fuel wildfires, which dry things out even further, creating conditions for even more fires and floods.
The phenomenon, dubbed "hydroclimate whiplash," has become more frequent and intense, according to recent research, with Canada particularly susceptible.
"What we see at the moment is just the beginning," said Andreas Prein of the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science.
Dawson Creek has been working to strengthen its flood infrastructure since 2016 when rising water levels destroyed roads and forced 60 residents from their homes.
In a release, the city says crews are preparing for possible flash flooding and encouraged residents to do the same by preparing emergency kits, moving important documents to safe areas, and clearing gutters.
Sandbags are also available at the city yard on 99 Avenue.