Calmer wildfire situation could change quickly as heat returns to B.C.

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Cooler, wetter weather means fewer fires are burning across British Columbia and wildfire management crews are getting a break — for now.

Fire information officer Ryan Turcot says the forecast calls for higher temperatures to return.

He says fire danger ratings are currently set at low to moderate across almost the entire province but may be ramped up again, especially in the southern Interior.

Only the southern quarter of Vancouver Island and tiny pockets along the Boundary region east of Osoyoos have high to extreme fire danger ratings.

Four new fires have been recorded in the past 24 hours, for a total of 131 active fires.

The province has spent almost $183 million fighting wildfires since the season began in April, triple its original $60-million budget. (CHNL)