Severe thunderstorm watches, risk of lightning-caused wildfires for B.C. Interior
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued severe thunderstorm watches in the afternoon for the Okanagan, Shuswap, Kootenay, Thompson, Cariboo, Prince George, Boundary and Nicola regions.
'Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms capable of producing damaging hail, wind or rain,' the weather agency wrote.
Meanwhile, severe thunderstorm warnings are in place for the Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, and Chilcotin regions.
The weather agency warned a storm capable of producing 'very strong wind gusts, up to a nickel size hail and heavy rain' is approaching.
The B.C. Wildfire Service, in an online update Sunday, said any relief coming from the cooler temperatures in recent days could be offset by the risk of new fires being sparked due to 'elevated lightning activity.'
On Saturday, 14,000 lightning strikes were recorded, the agency said, noting there have been more than 62,000 since Wednesday.
With increased risk from lightning in the later part of the wildfire season, the BCWS is stressing the importance of being vigilant about preventing human-caused wildfires so resources are not unduly strained.
As of Sunday afternoon, there were 143 fires burning in the province and 55 were classified as out of control.
Related: Full coverage of B.C.'s 2025 wildfire season
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