B.C. wildfires expected to flare again

Several regions of B.C. could expect more fires this weekend due to high temperatures, low humidity and lightning, authorities say.

"We are asking the public to be extremely cautious over the next few days," B.C. Forests Minister Pat Bell said in a news release Friday.

"There is a high likelihood that we will see new lightning-caused fires arise in the southern portion of the province and that existing fires will begin to exhibit extreme fire behaviour," Bell said.

The regions covered by the Coastal, Southeast, Kamloops and Cariboo fire centres were considered especially vulnerable, Bell said.

Campfire bans are still in effect in a number of areas in the province; anyone found in violation of the ban could receive a ticket of up to $345, Bell said. People were reminded that even if they are in areas where campfires are permitted, extreme caution should be exercised.

A number of major fires continue to burn in the B.C Interior.

The biggest among them is at Lava Canyon, about 100 kilometres west of Williams Lake. Its size is estimated at more than 480 square kilometres and is considered to be completely uncontained. An evacuation order is still in effect about a dozen residents of the Scum Lake area due tothat blaze.

An evacuation order is still also in effect for another dozen homes in the Kelly Creek area due to the uncontained fire in Edgehills Provincial Park, which is estimated at more than 130 square kilometres in size.

Progress is being made against the 60-square-kilometre fire near Klusklus Lakes west of Quesnel, which is 60-per-cent contained, and at Intlpam, between Lillooet and Lytton, where a 20-square-kilometre blazewas considered Friday to be 75 per cent contained.