Image Credit: D. Davies / File

By Dave Barry

Wildfires

More hot dry days are likely to result in a long wildfire season in B.C.

Jul 2, 2021 | 2:10 PM

VICTORIA – B.C. is dealing with 136 active wildfires across the province and all signs are pointing to a worsening situation.

At a provincial news briefing, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) Director Cliff Chapman outlined a discouraging weather forecast for the B.C. Interior, an area that is already tinder dry after a historic heatwave.

Of the 136 active fires in the province, most are in the province’s interior. There are 9 major fires in the province, including four in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Last night officials recorded 12,000 lightning strikes across the province which led to 70 new fires overnight. Officials expect another 70 new fires will turn up today as a result of last night’s lightning.

While the period of record heat has passed, Chapman says BCWS weather forecasts suggest temperatures will continue to remain above average over the weekend. In fact, he says, the current weather pattern is expected to remain in place for the next week.

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The province has been in discussions with the federal government and with the military, to provide support for firefighting efforts.

British Columbia’s chief coroner says preliminary reports suggest two people died as a result of the wildfire that ravaged the village of Lytton. Lisa Lapointe told the news conference today that the reports have yet to be officially confirmed.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says numerous hazards are still preventing the Mounties from accessing the Lytton area to search for an unknown number of people who remain unaccounted for.

The province says 1,362 people are under an evacuation order across the province today while another 950 are on an evacuation alert.