Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. warns of increasing wildfire risk with the return of hot, dry weather

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Aug, 2024 11:09 AM
  • B.C. warns of increasing wildfire risk with the return of hot, dry weather

The number of active wildfires in British Columbia is holding steady at just under 340 as the provincial government warns of increasing fire risk this weekend.

A statement from the government says people in wildfire-prone areas are "strongly urged" to be vigilant, adhere to fire bans, and be prepared with an emergency plan.

Environment Canada is forecasting a return of hotter temperatures over the long weekend, particularly in the southern Interior, where campfires are prohibited.

The weather office has issued heat warnings for several areas, including the Fraser Canyon, the Okanagan, the South Thompson region and the Kootenays, where daily highs are expected to reach into the upper 30s before cooling after the weekend.

The North Thompson will see temperatures in the low- to mid-30s, and another warning says much of eastern Vancouver Island will see daily highs into the 20s.

A smoky skies bulletin is also in effect for East Columbia and Arrow and Slocan lakes areas in southeastern B.C., a hot spot for many active wildfires.

Dry lightning strikes sparked dozens of new fires in that area last month, pushing B.C.'s wildfire total above 400 before the arrival of rain and cooler temperatures.

The B.C. government says hundreds of people remain on evacuation order, many of whom have been forced from their homes due to fires in the Kootenay region.

The BC Wildfire Service says 40 per cent of the roughly 340 active blazes across the province are burning out of control, with eight new starts in the last 24 hours.

Just over 70 fires are classified as "being held" and 129 are "under control."

There are more than 1,600 firefighting personnel, 200 structure protection workers, and more than 180 aircraft currently deployed across the province.

MORE National ARTICLES

Three bodies recovered from B.C. park where mountaineers went missing

Three bodies recovered from B.C. park where mountaineers went missing
Mounties in Squamish say three bodies have been recovered from the area of Garibaldi Provincial Park where three mountaineers went missing last month.

Three bodies recovered from B.C. park where mountaineers went missing

Joly meets with new British counterpart after political sea change in the U.K.

Joly meets with new British counterpart after political sea change in the U.K.
She is the first foreign minister to be invited to meet with David Lammy in London since his recent appointment as U.K. secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs.

Joly meets with new British counterpart after political sea change in the U.K.

Four dead after crash involving semi-trailer carrying timber in B.C.'s West Kootenays

Four dead after crash involving semi-trailer carrying timber in B.C.'s West Kootenays
Mounties in British Columbia's West Kootenay region say four people are dead after a crash that closed a stretch of Highway 6 for 11 hours. Slocan Lake RCMP say it happened south of Nakusp at about 5:50 p.m. on Friday, when a passenger truck crossed the centre line while a semi-trailer was approaching in the oncoming lane.

Four dead after crash involving semi-trailer carrying timber in B.C.'s West Kootenays

Merritt hospital emergency room closes for 48 hours amid doctor shortage

Merritt hospital emergency room closes for 48 hours amid doctor shortage
A doctor shortage has forced a temporary closure at the Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt. Interior Health says emergency care at the hospital will be closed for 48 hours.

Merritt hospital emergency room closes for 48 hours amid doctor shortage

IHIT investigating 'suspicious death' of 45-year-old man in Hope

IHIT investigating 'suspicious death' of 45-year-old man in Hope
British Columbia's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been deployed after a "suspicious death" in Hope. It says Mounties responded to a police report of a dead person on Friday and arrived to find the body of a 46-year-old man, who appeared to be the victim of a homicide.

IHIT investigating 'suspicious death' of 45-year-old man in Hope

B.C. heat records tumble, Environment Canada to provide update on heat wave

B.C. heat records tumble, Environment Canada to provide update on heat wave
A summary from Environment Canada shows 22 daily high temperature records fell across the province on Sunday, including one that had stood for almost 120 years.

B.C. heat records tumble, Environment Canada to provide update on heat wave