As wildfire season approaches, how at risk is Metro Vancouver?

B.C.'s wildfire season is right around the corner. On Thursday night, experts at UBC discussed the rise in fires in urban areas and the risk to Vancouver.

B.C.’s wildfire season is fast approaching, and experts are warning that urban areas of the province – including Metro Vancouver – may be at risk as fires grow more frequent and intense.

A panel of experts – including bestselling author of Fire Weather John Vaillant and UBC Centre for Wildfire Coexistence co-director Dr. Lori Daniels – spoke about urban wildfire risks at the university’s Vancouver campus Thursday night.

Daniels told CTV News a combination of climate change, forest management practices and urban expansion into fire-prone areas has contributed to a rise in the amount of land and structures burned in recent years.

While in some parts of the province – such as the Okanagan Valley – there is a sense that it’s “not if, but when” a destructive wildfire will hit, Daniels said Metro Vancouver is also vulnerable.

She cited the massive fire in an under-construction building in Vancouver’s Dunbar neighbourhood last August, which caused a crane to collapse and closed part of 41st Avenue for weeks, as an example of the risks.

“Eight or nine homes around (the unfinished building) caught on fire,” Daniels said. “There were sparks that were carrying into Pacific Spirit Park and we had to bring in the Richmond fire department to help protect Pacific Spirit Park because the Vancouver fire department was completely occupied saving homes.”

“Could you imagine if that fire had burned during the heat dome? On a hot, dry, windy day instead of a nice, cool, August evening?”

Daniels said there are certain steps people can take to protect their homes from wildfires wherever they live. She mentioned clearing gutters of flammable debris and choosing rock gardens and other less-flammable landscaping options as easy ways to improve a home’s fire resistance.

Earlier this week, Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry told city councillors that the risk of a wildfire in the city is relatively low, but the city is at greatest risk when there are high winds, extreme heat and severe drought conditions.