Many areas of B.C. are under a heat warning as a risk of thunderstorms sweeps over both eastern and southwestern areas of the province.
Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for Central, Northeast and Southeast B.C. due to potentially dangerous high temperatures.
Hot and dry conditions are expected to lead to thunderstorms over eastern and southwestern portions of B.C. through the middle of the week. Daytime highs are expected to reach into the mid to high 30s for Southern and Central B.C. all week.
"An extended period of high temperatures will continue as a ridge of high pressure remains over the region,” states Environment Canada. "Little relief is expected at night with elevated overnight temperatures.”
The high temperatures will gradually cool down late this week.
In B.C.'s Northeast, daytime highs are forecast to range into the high 20 C to 30 C all week as well.
No heat warnings are in place for Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley or Vancouver Island as of July 15 at 4 p.m.
Increased risk to people in the mountains
Metrologist Jason Ross in Squamish says a ridge of high pressure will persist over southwestern B.C. this week, resulting in dry conditions and above-normal temperatures.
"A small shortwave feature in a southerly flow may bring increased risk of convection or thunderstorms on Wednesday,” says Ross.
He notes this is important for people who are camping or hiking in the alpine.
Winds are forecast to pick up across the province later this week, increasing the potential for an higher fire activity, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Of the 151 active wildfires burning in B.C., 16 of them started in the last 24 hours.
Director of Wildfire Operations Cliff Chapman said on July 11 during a press conference that any new fire start in the province has the potential to spread rapidly, given the current conditions.
“Every fire has the potential to be a concern if we don't get on it right away and so we continue to surge aggressive initial attack to any new start,” says Chapman.
One lightning strike sparked a wildfire on July 14 eight kilometres north of Merritt. The resulting Upper Jesse Creek wildfire is now estimated at 11.2 hectares and is being held.
Residents encouraged to prepare for heat, call in wildfires
B.C.'s health authorities encourage residents to pay attention to symptoms of heat-related illness, and keep their home cool or visit cooling centres. Check on families, friends and neighbours, drink lots of water and wear protective clothing during the heat warning, recommend authorities.
Heat warnings are issued when daytime and overnight temperatures reach higher than usual regional temperature thresholds, but are not getting hotter every day. An extreme heat emergency is declared when daytime and overnight temperatures are higher than usual and are getting hotter every day.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 or text *5555 on a cellphone or submit a report directly through the BC Wildfire Service dashboard or mobile app.
