The BC Wildfire Service has identified eight of the more than 300 fires burning in the province as “wildfires of note,” as crews brace for hot and dry conditions in the southern region over the upcoming long weekend.
Two new fires, Dunn Creek fire located 100 kilometers north of Kamloops, and Sitkum Creek fire northeast of Vernon, have been added to the list of six existing wildfires of note. These fires are either highly visible or pose a threat to public safety or infrastructure.
The wildfire service has noted a “drying trend” in the south following a period of high temperatures and no rainfall, which is expected to increase the susceptibility of forest fuels to burning.
Environment Canada has issued over 20 heat warnings in the province, forecasting an “extended period” of hot weather for much of the southern Interior region, including the Fraser Canyon, Okanagan Valley, South Thompson, Boundary, West and East Kootenays, and other parts of B.C.
While the north of B.C. is expected to experience thunderstorms and rain, a campfire ban has been lifted in time for the long weekend in the Prince George and northwest fire centres.
The wildfire service has cautioned that the southern region may see an uptick in lightning strikes, urging people to be cautious of any activities that could potentially spark fires in the forest.
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