More than 250 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as much of the province continues to experience a heat wave that is expected to last well into next week.
Cliff Chapman of the BC Wildfire Service said Thursday the province appears to be “on the verge of a very difficult 72 hours” with hot, dry weather, dry lightning and strong winds expected.
Many new fires have broken out since Thursday.
The out-of-control Shetland Creek Fire in the southern Interior is currently the only fire considered a “wildfire of note,” meaning it is highly visible or poses a threat to public safety or infrastructure.
The fire covers more than 57 square kilometers, compared to around fifty on Thursday.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has expanded its evacuation order to cover about 85 properties in the Venables Valley area, while the Cook’s Ferry First Nation has issued orders for several reserves.
Residents of 170 other properties are under evacuation alert, with the district telling them to be ready to leave at short notice.
The increase in wildfire activity comes as Environment Canada maintains 29 heat warnings covering much of the southern Interior and extending into central British Columbia in the northeast, as well as interior sections of the north and central coasts.
The weather bureau says much of the interior is expected to see temperatures in the low 30s over the next few days, with overnight lows of around 15s.