A wet weekend may offer respite, but fire conditions are still extreme.

Colwood fire chief Kerry Smith said thereB次元官网网址檚 no help on the horizon for the well-documented dryer-than-usual weather that has created conditions ideal for accidental fires on the West Shore.

B次元官网网址淚n all reality, itB次元官网网址檚 definitely extreme out there,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淲e are hoping this weekend we will see some precipitation, but we will need more than a couple of days of rain to bring us out of the dryness that is out there.B次元官网网址�

He said the forecasted rain likely wonB次元官网网址檛 be enough to move the needle, let alone signal a lower fire rating, something he said he would love to see so he can B次元官网网址渂reath a sigh of relief.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淰irtually every summer we have a period that hits extreme, but itB次元官网网址檚 usually for a couple of weeks then goes away, and then we get a week later,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淭his year, itB次元官网网址檚 been right through May, June, July and August and I donB次元官网网址檛 know whether this will continue. Reports are it will continue into September and October.B次元官网网址�

He said the number of fires in Colwood is actually a little lower than 2014 but added ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 numbers are the exception and not the norm.

Metchosin fire chief Stephanie Dunlop said fires in her rural community this year have doubled from last year -- and the summer isnB次元官网网址檛 even over.

B次元官网网址淲e need a good solid week of a downpour. (A little rain) just pools up in the ground but it is not enough to change the conditions. I donB次元官网网址檛 foresee any changes close at hand,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淭he concern we have is if we get a little bit of rain, the public thinks now itB次元官网网址檚 OK B次元官网网址� Then the risk actually goes up.B次元官网网址�

She has seen a number of human-caused fires started by anything from discarded cigarette butts to barbecue lighters.

Even the exhaust pipes from a vehicle that goes off road can be hot enough to cause an impromptu fire.

B次元官网网址淚t is beyond extreme at this point in time. ItB次元官网网址檚 is bad enough that on Metchosin Day (Sept. 13) we are not allowing the lamb barbecue this year,B次元官网网址� Dunlop said. B次元官网网址淩ight now weB次元官网网址檙e on pins and needles waiting for the next call.B次元官网网址�

alim@goldstreamgazette.com