Heat warning in effect for B.C. as firefighters battle wildfires in province
The number of wildfires in British Columbia climbed slightly Saturday to 245, as officials braced for potential lightning that could spark even more blazes.
An information officer with the BC Wildfire Service says there were 241 fires burning earlier in the day, but the number rose as lightning struck the Coastal fire centre.
Erika Berg notes the number of wildfires is still down from the 300 that were active last week.
There are heat warnings in effect across swaths of British Columbia at the moment, but temperatures are expected to cool over the weekend.
Berg says the cooler temperatures could bring even more lightning, so officials will be on the lookout.
Most of the blazes are in the Kamloops, Southeast, Prince George and Cariboo fire centres, said a news release from the service.
Environment Canada meteorologist Derek Lee says this weekend's heat warning doesn't mean British Columbians should expect a repeat of last month's record-breaking scorcher.
“This weekend is just above normal or above seasonal and warmer temperatures than what we would expect for a summer day for a lot of the regions in southern B.C. here,” he said.
“So, we did end up issuing heat warnings for a lot of the regions in southern B.C.”
Temperatures are forecast to cool down through the course of the weekend, he said.
The Village of Lytton, which shattered Canada's all-time heat record when the mercury nearly reached 50 C, was expected to reach 39 C Saturday. Its low was forecast to be 21 overnight, and Lee said it would be “still rather warm” at 33 C Sunday.
The record for Lytton on July 31 was 42.2 degrees C in 1971 and 41.1 C for Aug. 1, 1965.
Meantime, the wildfire service said there are 60 evacuation orders affecting 3,120 properties, an increase of 62, while there are 97 evacuation alerts.
More than 2,000 firefighting personnel -- including nearly 300 from out-of-province --are helping fight the blazes that have charred 4707.84 square kilometres so far, it said.
All of Vancouver Island, the south coast and stretches of the southern Interior are classified as drought level four out of five. Many municipalities and regions are implementing measures to conserve water through the rest of the summer.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.