B.C. communities struck by wildfires and floods brace for spring thaw

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The Nicola Valley is one of many regions in British Columbia still recovering from last year's extreme weather as the thaw begins.

Although the federal and provincial governments have pledged funds to guard communities from the effects of climate change, most protection measures won't be in place in time for this season.

Forecasters say it's difficult to predict flooding more than a few days in advance, so residents should always be prepared.

"There are changes this year that may alter the kind of risks that are out there,'' said Dave Campbell, head of B.C.'s River Forecast Centre.

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However, regions of British Columbia that experienced both wildfires and floods, like the Fraser Canyon and Nicola River and their tributaries, have "overlapping risks'' Campbell said.

Snowmelt runs over scorched land more rapidly, for example. And rivers like the Nicola that changed course and filled with sediment will make predictions more challenging, he said.

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