A week of record-breaking temperatures, little-to-no-rain and more than 6,000 lightning strikes have resulted in a sudden increase in wildfires in B.C., Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says.
Parmar, in a provincial wildfire briefing Wednesday (Sept. 3), said wildfire growth remains a serious issue for much of the province "and the immediate weather forecast will continue to create challenging wildfire conditions."
Lightning is expected to return to the coast later in the week and the heat is expected to continue through the weekend, with temperatures reaching 10 C above normal with no significant rain in the forecast, Parmar added.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 155 active wildfires burning across B.C., with 12 starts in the past 24 hours. Of the 155 wildfires, 58 are considered out of control, meaning growth is expected.
More to come.
