HIGH TEMPERATURES, GUSTY WINDS CAUSE CHALLENGES

The BC Wildfire Information Service says high temperatures, low humidity and an increase in winds are making wildfire conditions challenging in southern B.C. Fire information officer Erika Berg says heat and gusty winds are raising concern across the Kamloops and southern Cariboo regions. She says while fires are usually at their peak during the midday heat, relatively high nighttime temperatures combined with low humidity are also hindering efforts to calm the blazes after sunset. Berg says cooler temperatures are expected by Sunday, but strong wind gusts are also forecast, along with a risk of dry lightning. She says the service is preparing for more activity on some of the nearly 270 fires burning, along with the likelihood of new fires starts. Thirty fires are ranked as threatening or highly visible.