Climate change expected to bring longer wildfire seasons, larger area burned: expert Drought, heat and drier fuels are causing larger areas to be burned by B.C. wildfires, says forestry expert. Social Sharing Posted: Jul 25, 2021 2:50 PM PT | Last Updated: July 25 The Nk'Mip Creek wildfire burns behind residential properties near Oliver, B.C., in this July 22 file photo.(Submitted by James Moore) A combination of drought, heat and drier fuels is causing larger areas to be burned in British Columbia, says an expert. Kira Hoffman, a post-doctoral researcher with the University of British Columbia's faculty of forestry, said climate change is expected to create longer wildfire seasons because of more drought, which leads to drier trees and grasses.