B.C. issues drought warning for Interior

The B.C. government is warning many areas of the province could face a drought this summer because of the low snowpack levels in the mountains.

As a result, Environment Minister Barry Penner says the B.C. government is developing a 2010 drought response plan to guide government actions for low stream flows and drought conditions

With the exception of high-elevation areas on Vancouver Island and the South Coast, snowpacks across B.C. are all below normal.

The most affected areas are in the southern Interior, where the Nicola, Okanagan, Similkameen, West Kootenay, East Kootenay, Lower Columbia regions have between 37 and 76 per cent of their normal snowpack. In the northwestern Interior regions of Skeena and Nass, snow levels are only at 61 per cent of normal.

Wet weather in May and June could reduce the risk of a drought this summer, but municipalities in those regions will need to look at bringing in water restrictions, said Penner.

"In these areas, water conservation is urged. Water restrictions at the local level should be considered and drought management plans should be reviewed," said a statement released by the Environment Ministry on Friday morning.

The North Okanagan Regional District brought in watering restrictions two weeks ago, but was forced to repeal them because of widespread public outcry that they were premature.

The risk of a drought is also expected to raise the risk of forest fires this coming summer. There are already 19 fires burning in B.C. larger than 10 hectares, according to the B.C. Forest Service.