The number of wildfires in British Columbia continues to swell as hot, dry weather continues to grip the province.
The BC Wildfire Service says 142 wildfires are burning across the province as of Sunday morning, a sharp rise from 68 on Wednesday.
Of the 142 fires, the wildfire service says nearly 80 per cent were caused by lightning.
Service officials say the lightning potential is expected to diminish on Sunday, and while temperatures will remain hot provincewide, the coast may manage to fare slightly better with some precipitation.
The increasing number of wildfires has led to a special quality statement being issued across parts of the province, including Prince George and portions of the Chilcotin and Cariboo regions.
Environment Canada says the affected regions are expected to be dealing with wildfire smoke for up to 48 hours.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2025.
The Canadian Press
