Soaring temperatures and high winds could worsen fires in B.C.’s southern Interior

KELOWNA, B.C. – Officials in British Columbia's southern Interior say the forecasted warm temperatures and gusting winds could spell the end of two days of relief from wildfires raging in the area.

Jason Luciw with the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre says they hope to see a repeat of the weather they've had over the past few days, but is not confident it will hold.

He says the lower temperatures with cloud coverage from direct sunlight and calmer winds helped contain the growth of the Mount Eneas fire to around 1,374 hectares, and cleared out much of the smoke seen in the area on Saturday.

Luciw says the Environment Canada forecast for the next week in the southern Interior does not inspire confidence, with temperatures in the 30s and winds gusting over 40 kilometres per hour expected for as early as Monday afternoon.

Along with the 690 properties on alert from the Mount Eneas fire in the Central Okanagan district, there are 200 properties on alert in the Okanagan-Similkameen region south of Kelowna, B.C., and another 35 properties facing evacuation orders in the area.