VANCOUVER (CBC) - The B.C. Forest Service has recalled three firefighting aircraft from California because of anticipated fire starts, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced Tuesday.

Two water bombers and one bird dog aircraft, which guides the larger water bombers, will be returning to the province from California, and will be available for service by Wednesday morning.

"The warming and drying trend is expected to continue throughout the province," Bell said. "As the risk for fire starts increases, it is important we have necessary resources readily available."

Provincial fire information officer Kim Steinbart said there's a high danger rating throughout much of the Southern Interior, so the forest service has also requested four aircraft from the Yukon to assist provincial crews.

"We are amping up for increased activity over the next little while. We're going to see some increased warming and drying throughout most of the southern part of the province, so we're just making sure we have enough on hand in case our situation in B.C. should get worse over the next little while," said Steinbart.

It is not clear if the mammoth Martin Mars water bomber, which is run by a private owner with a seasonal contract with the B.C. government, is one of the recalled aircraft. It flew down to California on a U.S. federal contract in June.

Since April, provincial fire crews have responded to 762 fires throughout the province, about 41 per cent of which were caused by lightning strikes and 57 per cent by people.

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