THE HEAT IS ON: BC bakes, sets unwelcome records

Several heat records were broken over weekend as British Columbia continues to be gripped by heat, fire, flood risk. Unseasonably hot temperatures are afflicting much of province with a heat warnings issued for the north coast, including Kitimat and Terrace.

The warning from Environment Canada says a plume of hot air is to remain in place over the area through Thursday, bringing daytime highs to near 30 C and overnight lows near 15 C.

Much of the rest of the province’s coastal and interior regions remain under special weather statements related to persistent heat that have seen temperatures soar above 30 C in many communities.

Several broke temperature records, including Agassiz, which hit 31.6 C, and Fort Nelson, which saw 28.1 C.

In the Peace region, the regional district says there was “significant fire activity” on the weekend that necessitated evacuation orders and alerts.

The province’s River Forecast Centre also issued several high streamflow advisories for the Skeena River, the Upper Columbia and East and West Kootenay Rivers and others, as high temperatures accelerated the spring snow melt.

People are being warned to stay away from fast moving waters and unstable banks.

BC’s interior has been particularly hard-hit by flooding and fires this spring, including Cache Creek, where flooding earlier this month forced people from their homes and damaged highways.