Heat records fall across B.C. as wildfire risks climb

People sit under umbrellas at Locarno Beach in Vancouver on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VICTORIA — Warm weather across British Columbia broke daily temperature records in at least 24 locations this weekend, with several spiking above 30 C.

Environment Canada says among the highest was Pemberton with 32 C on Sunday, displacing a record of 31.1 C set almost 70 years ago.

Other parts of the B.C. Interior, including Osoyoos, Lillooet and Cache Creek, also saw temperatures push past 30 C on Sunday.

Squamish in the Sea to Sky region north of Metro Vancouver almost joined their ranks with a daily high of 29.9 C.

Victoria’s harbourfront got to nearly 27 C, breaking the record of 25 C set more than a century ago, in 1898.

The BC Wildfire service says it’s expecting above seasonal temperatures into this week and warns that could increase the likelihood of new wildfire starts.

There are about 31 active wildfires in B.C., with roughly 10 started within the last 24 hours.

The Canadian Press