The B.C. Wildfire Service has discovered a new wildfire in northeastern B.C., likely sparked by lightning.
Environment Canada has put out a warning for parts of British Columbia's Interior, highlighting severe weather conditions impacting various regions. In the northeast, Fort Nelson is under a thunderstorm warning, indicating imminent risks like large hail, strong winds, or heavy rainfall expected until Tuesday. Meanwhile, areas such as the Kootenays, Thompson, North Okanagan, Shuswap, and Elk Valley are under a severe thunderstorm watch, predicting heavy rain into Monday afternoon.
Specifically, Fort Nelson faces continued rainfall, prompting cautionary measures from Environment Canada. Elsewhere, places like Kamloops and Kelowna anticipate rain easing by late evening, with advisories in place for drivers due to potential road pooling from heavy downpours.
Recently, Savona, located west of Kamloops, saw flash floods impacting around 20 homes on Sunday evening. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District enacted its emergency operations center following significant rainfall that temporarily closed Highway 1. While the highway has reopened, motorists are urged to drive cautiously and watch for maintenance crews.
Reports from the area describe some residents encountering sewage odors near their homes post-flooding. Amanda Ellison of the regional district notes calls from affected homeowners, with observations suggesting potential damage.
Adding to the weather challenges, British Columbia has been grappling with a prolonged drought, exacerbating wildfire risks. As of Monday afternoon, the B.C. Wildfire Service identified three new wildfires in the Prince George Fire Centre, all suspected to have started due to lightning strikes, underscoring the heightened fire danger across the province's northeast quarter.
