B.C. wildfire smoke lingers as evacuations ease and lightning threat looms

The B.C. Wildfire Service reports that smoke blanketing the province's southern half will likely remain for several days, reducing ground temperatures but hindering visibility for firefighting aircraft. As a result, evacuation orders around the most severe fires, such as those near Clinton and Summerland, are being scaled back, enabling thousands of displaced residents to go back to their homes. Fire information officer Rick van Kesteren cautioned that an unstable weather pattern could generate further lightning strikes on Sunday, raising the risk of new ignitions in south-central B.C. Crews are being positioned in advance of any such events.

Over 1,800 firefighters, bolstered by personnel from New Brunswick and Quebec, are currently assigned to more than 120 active fires, the majority sparked by lightning. Highway 97 near Cache Creek reopened in a limited capacity after weeks of closure due to the Pear Lake fire, while other highway sections remain restricted despite reopening. The Bald Range wildfire continues to burn over 205 square kilometres, and officials remain hopeful that more residents will return in the coming days.