The spring's transition into summer has been particularly dry in Agassiz-Harrison.
According to data from Weather Canada, May's rainfall is about half of the average rainfall based on about the 30 most recent, available years of climate norm data between 1981 and 2010. The 29-year average is about 103 millimetres of rain for May; this May, 56.7 millimetres of rain fell. May was not only the driest month of the year so far, but it was the driest month in the last 11 months, the second driest being last July with 20.4 millimetres of rain fallen.
Not all months this year were particularly dry. February's rain was slightly higher than the most recent climate norms, and March's rainfall exceeded averages by nearly 100 millimetres.
The most recent 30-year average annual rainfall amounts to 1,689 millimetres of rain.
Harrison Lake's water levels is at about 10.6 metres, about 3 metres below the current dike level. The Harrison River near the lake is below normal, between the 10th and 24th percentile. The Fraser River at the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge is coming off the peak of a steady climb in water levels. As of Thursday (June 5), cresting at 15.5 metres on Wednesday, June 4.
As of Thursday, the wildfire danger scale in Agassiz-Harrison is currently moderate. The B.C. Wildfire Service describes the criteria for this danger level as forest fuels drying out and an elevated risk of surface fires starting. Special caution during activity in the forest is strongly advised.
There is a sweeping Class 2 and 3 fire ban across the Coastal Fire Centre. Campfires are currently allowed in the District of Kent with the appropriate permit.
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