British Columbia’s energy regulator has suspended water diversions in the province’s oil and gas fields as part of a broader effort to confront a deepening drought..This includes rivers, streams and lakes in the basins within the Peace River and Liard River watersheds, in the northeastern part of the province. It also affects irrigation and farming..It comes after the BC government raised four of 34 water basins in the province to Level 5 treat assessment, on a six-point scale, and implemented a fire ban for all regions of the province except for Haida Gwaii..All regions, including Vancouver Island, are under severe to moderate drought conditions, a level even worse than October 2022, months ahead of historic patterns. According to provincial data, the Fraser River is flowing at 60% lower volumes for this time of year..The snowpack is also at its lowest for this time of year since the government began measuring levels in 1988..According to a news release, “adverse impacts to socio-economic or ecosystem values are almost certain.”.The federal Environment and Climate Change department pegs the chances of abnormally high temperatures — which could aggravate the fire situation — at 80 to 100%..Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma called on everyone, including First Nations and business, to conserve water over and above mandatory restrictions, including taking shorter showers, watering lawns sparingly and reducing loads of dishes and laundry..“We are currently encouraging voluntary reductions at this time, but regulatory actions may be introduced if necessary,” she said. “Every drop counts.”.Over the past 12 months the province has seen 40% to 85% of normal precipitation, depending on the region..There are 311 active wildfires burning in the province with significant amounts of dry lightning blamed for starting 115 wildfires last weekend alone..Presently, there are 12 evacuation orders affecting approximately 156 people, in addition to 12 evacuation alerts affecting 629 people in the northwest, northeast and Cariboo regions.
