B.C. officials warn of high wildfire risk amid drought and heat

British Columbia officials say the province faces a difficult wildfire season this summer because of drought, early snowmelt and a forecast for hotter than normal weather. They said the risk is especially high in the southern Interior and South Coast. At a news conference in June, B.C. Wildfire Service and provincial ministers said drought conditions in several regions are already worse than they were before some of the province’s major fire years. They warned that dry conditions and lightning could make new fires easier to start and harder to contain. Officials also asked residents to prepare for emergencies by making household plans, assembling grabandgo bags and reducing water use where possible. So far this season, the province has recorded 300 wildfires and more than 4,200 hectares burned.