KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The number of wildfires burning across British Columbia continues to fall as higher temperatures are expected in separate parts of the province.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says 159 fires were burning Friday, down seven from a day earlier and 38 fewer than a week ago.
Fire information officer Navi Saini says the forecast calls for a strong ridge of high pressure to build over the province this weekend, and the Kamloops area could see temperatures rise to 30 C.
Lightning has been a major source of many wildfires this season, but Saini says minimal is expected into Saturday.
She says firefighters will be on the lookout for holdover fires, which are sparked by lightning and smoulder underground before erupting later.
Saini says wildfire personnel, including some of the 50 Australians who arrived recently, are in Pemberton as a precaution before a major music festival that is expected to draw more than 100,000 people.
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