Abbotsford's September/August driest on record
Fire department extends burning ban
Summer sunsets at Matsqui Trail Regional Park lasted right until the end of September as Abbotsford experienced the driest August and September on record.
Photograph by: Rochelle Baker , Abbotsford Times
It's official - and it wasn't even close.
This September was the driest on record in Abbotsford, dating back to 1945 when records were first kept. Precipitation recorded at the Abbotsford airport was 6.6 millimetres for the month, breaking the previous record of 9.2 mm of rain recorded in 1991, said Alyssa Charbonneau, meteorologist with Environment Canada.
Average rainfall for September in Abbotsford is 75.9 mm.
"We also set the record for the driest August and September with 10.4 mm for the two months," added Charbonneau.
Meteorologist Trevor Smith agrees that the two-month span is significant.
"It's a more sustained dry spell. There's never been an August-September that dry," said Smith.
"We don't really know why the high pressure system was so persistent this year. We can't blame it on El Nino or La Nina. It's much more complex than that.
"It doesn't tell us much about what this winter will be." Abbotsford is also experiencing above average temperatures this fall, added Smith.
"The pattern of winds coming from the Interior tends to warm us up, with coolish nights and warm days."
Daytime temperatures are expected in the low 20s through this weekend (normal highs for October are about 16 degrees Celsius).
After a chance of showers Monday night, sun and warm temperatures are expected to return to the Fraser Valley for the next 10 days or so.
And as a result of the record breaking dry spell and the forest fire rating set at extreme, Abbotsford has extended its burning ban.
The burning ban on debris in rural areas, normally imposed between June 1 and September 30, has been extended until Oct. 15.
There may be a possible further extension if dry conditions continue, said Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service acting Fire Chief Dale Unrau.
No open fires are permitted in the urban areas of the city any time.
There is a $500 fine for discarding burning substances, and this includes cigarettes, or for outdoor fires during the ban.
People who cause accidental fires may also be charged the cost recovery fees and face criminal charges.
The District of Mission allows urban fires in permitted fire pits only. It is not imposing a fire ban in the district at this time, said Larry Watkinson, Mission Fire Rescue assistant Fire Chief.
With the extreme dry conditions, citizens are advised to be extra vigilant to prevent grass or forest fires.
Call the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service non-emergency line at 604-853-3566 regarding any questions on outdoor burning in the City of Abbotsford.
-with files from Rochelle Baker
