Cold front may worsen B.C. wildfires ahead of long weekend
BC wildfires face strong winds and storms as a cold front hits B.C. See which fires threaten communities and what officials warn next
A cold front bringing strong winds and thunderstorms, but little rain, is expected to move across southern British Columbia over the August long weekend, creating tougher conditions for crews battling wildfires.
The BC Wildfire Service says the wind could help spread existing fires and increase the chance of new lightningcaused blazes in dry areas. Officials said several communities remain under threat as conditions stay hot and tinderdry.
In the ThompsonNicola and Cariboo regions, evacuation orders have been issued near the Pear Lake fire, which has grown to more than 900 square kilometres. More than 1,800 properties have been ordered evacuated, and evacuation alerts cover an even wider area.
The Riley Creek wildfire also prompted an overnight evacuation order from the T'it'q'et First Nation near Lillooet. Across the province, nearly 110 wildfires are active, with 48 listed as out of control.