1. Canadian Storm Project. BC and yukon - warm, dry and on fire. Evan Naas Geo-11

2. Climate factors Never have the forest of British Columbia been so dry. Never have the forest of British Columbia been so dry. It was the second warmest December to April on record, and it just got warmer in May, June and July. It was the second warmest December to April on record, and it just got warmer in May, June and July. Osoyoos was the nation's hot spot in 2004, a scorching 40.5°C on June 21. Osoyoos was the nation's hot spot in 2004, a scorching 40.5°C on June 21. Lots of extreme heat and dry lightning. Lots of extreme heat and dry lightning.

3. Effects and Cost. Nearly 5,000 residents were under a one hour evacuation. Nearly 5,000 residents were under a one hour evacuation. The number of wildfires in 2004 totaled 2,311 burning 227,339 hectares of British Columbia forests. The number of wildfires in 2004 totaled 2,311 burning 227,339 hectares of British Columbia forests. $100 million dollars worth of damage. $100 million dollars worth of damage. Destroyed several historic native grounds, including aboriginal graves and cultural sites within Tweedsmuir Park. Destroyed several historic native grounds, including aboriginal graves and cultural sites within Tweedsmuir Park.

4. Facts. BC's biggest fires was the Town Creek fire near Lillooet. BC's biggest fires was the Town Creek fire near Lillooet. A massive plume of smoke and ash clouded the skies over Vancouver Island some 400 km away and hung over Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, discolouring the sun and casting a hazy hue over the region. A massive plume of smoke and ash clouded the skies over Vancouver Island some 400 km away and hung over Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, discolouring the sun and casting a hazy hue over the region.

5. FACTS (continued) At times in the summer, smoking was banned in Stanley Park, cooking in picnic areas stopped and hiking trails on the North Shore mountain closed. At times in the summer, smoking was banned in Stanley Park, cooking in picnic areas stopped and hiking trails on the North Shore mountain closed.

6. References http://www.msc- smc.ec.gc.ca/media/top10/archive_e.html http://www.msc- smc.ec.gc.ca/media/top10/archive_e.html http://www.msc- smc.ec.gc.ca/media/top10/archive_e.html http://www.msc- smc.ec.gc.ca/media/top10/archive_e.html www.google.com www.google.com