Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for several areas of B.C., as temperatures are expected to climb provincewide through the first week of September. 

The forecasting agency is suggesting a high of 38 C on Tuesday and Wednesday in Kamloops, B.C. The rest of the region, including the Fraser Canyon and South Thompson could see the mercury hit 35 C in the coming days, Environment Canada says, while nighttime lows are expected to dip to 18 C. 

Meanwhile, on the North Coast, temperatures could reach 30 C inland — well above the seasonal average — with overnight lows of 13 C. 

Environment Canada is reminding people to watch for signs of heat illness, including heavy sweating, rash, cramping and fainting. 

Those at particular risk include seniors, people who live alone and people with pre-existing health conditions, the weather agency added. 

Wildfire conditions

The heat comes after the province recorded 4,382 lightning strikes on Friday and Saturday, most in the Cariboo and Coastal regions, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS). About 75 per cent of the current active wildfires have been caused by lightning. 

More thunderstorms are forecast for some areas, BCWS says. 

Because of recent lightning activity, the fire service is expecting more fires to be reported in coming days.

On Monday, the wildfire service said 34 new wildfires were reported over the past 24 hours. As of Monday afternoon, there are 165 active wildfires burning across B.C.

That includes the Tsetzi Lake Wildfire, which has prompted evacuation orders and alerts from the Cariboo Regional District. 

An evacuation alert has also been issued by the Regional District of East Kootenay for properties adjacent to Bugaboo Provincial Park, where a 1.5 square-kilometre fire discovered on Thursday is burning out of control. 

Environment Canada has issued special air quality statements for northeastern B.C., as well as Prince George and the Cariboo, Chilcotin and Central Coast regions due to wildfire smoke.

The weather agency suggests limiting time outdoors while smokey skies persist. 

BCWS said it expects thick smoke to move into Prince George Tuesday morning, while the Cariboo region may see dense smoke Monday evening.