Puddles have barely dried across southern B.C. in the wake of a weekend deluge, but the provincial government has already expanded a Level 4 drought rating to the South Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas.
Low stream flows in those regions are blamed for the increased drought rating, which was imposed on Vancouver Island, the South Coast and Lower Fraser areas almost two weeks ago.
Level 4, which is the highest rating, allows regional water managers to bring in measures such as the temporary suspension of water licences and short-term water approvals, in order to handle extremely dry conditions.
There was hope that weekend downpours would reduce the long-term wildfire danger in the southern half of the province, but meteorologist Matt MacDonald says the average 15 to 25 millimetres of rain won't wipe out a drought that developed over several months. (The Canadian Press)
