More than 7,000 lightning strikes spark new wildfires across B.C.

More than 7,000 lightning strikes spark new wildfires across B.C. | iNFOnews.ca
The west flank of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C., is shown in this Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, handout image provided by the BC Wildfire Service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — B.C. Wildfire Service (Mandatory Credit)

The BC wildfire service says new wildfires ignited across the province yesterday after more than 7,000 lightning strikes.

The service says the strikes were caused by a subtropical weather system that brought hot weather to most of the province.

Lightning-caused wildfires started in all of B.C.’s southern fire centres, with the province recording about 50 new fires in the past 24 hours.

But rainy weather across much of the province means many of the new fires are already being held or under control.

The wildfire service says hot, dry and windy conditions are expected to return this week, bringing the potential of new wildfires.

It says the change in weather could bring lightning-caused holdover fires, which happen when fires smoulder undetected until the weather leads to more visible smoke.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2026.

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