British Columbia: British Columbia is currently dealing with a surge in wildfires sparked by numerous lightning strikes, with approximately 7,500 strikes reported in the past week alone, leading to 256 new fires. Efforts by firefighters and local teams have successfully contained or extinguished over 80% of these fires. However, the wildfire season is far from over, and challenging conditions are anticipated to persist. Cooler temperatures have provided some relief, but fluctuating weather could bring high winds and additional lightning, potentially igniting more fires.
At present, there are 423 active wildfires across B.C., most of which are smaller than those experienced last year, thanks to recent breaks in hot weather and some rain. Despite this, lightning-caused fires that receive rain can still smoulder and remain hazardous for days, with the potential to escalate into larger fires. Fire management teams remain vigilant as they continue to address the evolving situation.