Swath of southern Interior still under heat warning; over 30 new fires discovered in 24 hours Health officials have responded to dozens of heat-related calls in recent days, as about 20 heat warnings are still in effect for some parts of British Columbia.
Amid the prolonged heat wave, the number of active wildfires in the province has jumped by more than 30 in the last 24 hours as forecasters warn of a risk for high wind and dry lightning in the province’s north.
While heat warnings have been lifted across Vancouver Island, the South Coast and the Lower Mainland, they remain in place for the southern Interior, where high temperatures are expected to last into Thursday.
Nearly 40 communities set daily temperature records across B.C. on Tuesday, according to Environment Canada. The temperature hit 40.6 C in Kamloops, shattering the 38.6 C record set in 2015. Kelowna also set a new high of 39.3 C.
Lytton, which is often the hottest place in Canada this time of year, hit 42.5 C. Several cities in the B.C. Interior and Kootenays including Lytton, Nelson, Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon and Cranbrook are expected to break records again Wednesday, with forecasts calling for temperatures between 37 C and 40 C.
Source: cbc.ca/news
Monday, April 20, 2026
