An out-of-control wildfire burning just south of Lytton is growing fast, with crews racing to contain it as temperatures climb across the province.
The Cantilever Bar wildfire has already scorched 150 hectares and sparked evacuation alerts nearby. It’s the latest in a string of fires in the area and comes as a major heat wave hits southern B.C.
Forecasters say the worst of the heat will hit between Tuesday and Thursday, with daytime highs soaring to nearly 40°C in some parts of the Interior. And with no rain in sight, conditions are prime for fires to spread.
Overnight temps aren’t offering much relief either—staying close to 20°C until a slight cool-down arrives Friday. But it’s still unclear if those showers will be enough to help firefighters on the ground.
The BC Wildfire Service believes this blaze was human-caused.
So far this season, B.C. has seen over 500 wildfires since April, with 63 still burning across the province. Nationally, Canada is dealing with its second-worst wildfire season on record, with 3.7 million hectares burned—roughly six times the size of Prince Edward Island.
The cost of fighting fires keeps climbing too. Last year alone, B.C. spent more than $769 million battling blazes, and experts say this season could be even worse. About 30% of fires are human-caused, with the rest sparked by lightning.
With fire risk peaking in the southern part of the province—just as predicted by federal officials last month—the B.C. government is set to hold a press conference this morning to share updates on emergency response efforts, wildfire management, and drought planning.
Stay tuned to 604 Now for the latest wildfire alerts and community updates across the Lower Mainland and beyond.
