Evacuation orders issued as total number of B.C. wildfires top 1,000

British Columbia crossed a worrisome milestone on Monday, as there have been more than 1,000 wildfires in the province so far this year.

In an average year, the province sees around 1,300 fires.

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There were 307 fires burning in the province as of Tuesday morning, 23 of which were sparked in the past 48 hours.

Nearly a third of the active fires in B.C. are classified as out of control.

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There are 24 wildfires of note burning in the province.

A new evacuation order has been issued as the Sparks Lake fire, which is burning north of Kamloops, now covers more than 40,000 hectares.

Information officer Taylor Colman with the wildfire service said hot and dry weather conditions are causing concern as firefighters battle the flames.

“So, I think there is potential for it to keep growing,” she said Tuesday.

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An evacuation order for nine more properties near Savona has been issued, adding to the 170 addresses already ordered out by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Skeetchestn Indian Band.

There was some good news on Monday around the Thomas Creek fire east of Skaha Lake.

The blaze is now burning to the southeast and away from properties. Owners of 77 homes were allowed back into the area on Monday.

— With files from The Canadian Press