Drought Spreads Across British Columbia - Forests "As Dry As Popcorn"

[hatrack]

A B.C.-wide heat wave is hitting farmers, ranchers and loggers as a drought parches much of the province and temperatures are forecast to climb even higher over the weekend. B.C. grain growers are citing a "worst-case scenario" as hot, dry weather, coupled with a lack of snow on the fields during the spring, has severely hurt crops in the South Peace region.

Most Peace country grain farmers will be forced to make crop insurance claims, some because the entire crop was a write-off, said Irmi Critcher, president of the B.C. Grain Producers Association. "We have seen a drought before but this is a worst-case scenario," she said. Ed Salle, president of B.C. Cattlemen's Association, said his members will face significant reductions in the volume of forage crops such as hay if the drought persists. That would force cattle farmers to buy hay from other parts of B.C. and Alberta, likely at significantly higher prices than normal.

Salle said hot, dry weather could restrict grazing ranges for some farmers, forcing them to look for other grounds or sell some of their animals to reduce the size of their herds. "South-central B.C. isn't in as bad a condition as the Peace right now, but it can get there pretty fast," he said. Meanwhile, loggers say the wood is as dry as popcorn and rapidly getting drier, with the first loggers expected to be sent home by this weekend because of the rising threat of fire. Forest companies are also taking increased precautions, such as shifting operations to pre-dawn start times to ensure crews are out of the bush before the heat of the day hits.

Environment Canada meteorologist Darlene Langlois said in an interview Thursday: "The real heat is going to be in the southern Interior, with temperatures of 40 to 41 degrees." That's not far from the 44.4 C that Lytton and Lillooet recorded in 1941, the hottest recorded temperature for B.C. of all time.

EDIT

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=adc0454d-f315-4339-964e-60b8b7e889f4&k=64407

[phantom power]

1. I'm trying to think of a reason why these droughts won't just continue...

indefinitely. Year after year. Until "crop shortfalls" turn into "famine." I'm trying hard to think of a reason, but I can't.

[Pierzin]

2. It only follows what Al Gore said in the movie

and you're right, it will only get worse, until mankind makes some real changes.