Southern B.C. faces elevated wildfire risk over next 48 hours

B.C. wildfire officials say the next 48 hours could bring the province’s highest wildfire risk, especially in the southern half of the province, as dry conditions, lightning and stronger winds raise the chance of new fires. Cliff Chapman of the BC Wildfire Service said fine fuels are extremely dry and could allow fires to spread quickly. He said lightning is a major concern because a large share of wildfires in B.C. are started that way. Provincial officials also said there are eight evacuation orders in place across B.C., seven of them linked to the Brunswick Creek wildfire complex near Boston Bar. More than 230 properties are under evacuation order, while nearly 300 more are on alert. Since April 1, about 25,000 hectares have burned in more than 440 fires.