National Times Bureau (Richa Walia): British Columbia endured a scorching late-summer hot spell over the weekend, with more than a dozen communities breaking maximum temperature records on August 23, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The soaring temperatures stretched from Vancouver Island to the Fraser Canyon and as far north as Smithers. In Victoria, the mercury hit 31.1 C, surpassing a record that had stood since 1916. Lytton, known for its extreme summer heat, climbed to 38.6 C, breaking its previous benchmark set in 1958.
Other regions, including Abbotsford, West Vancouver, Whistler, and Pemberton, also set new highs. Environment Canada extended a heat warning on Sunday for inland areas of the North Coast, covering Terrace and Kitimat. Forecasters expect the warning to remain in place until midweek, with no rain anticipated across most of the province.
“A ridge of high pressure building over B.C. is bringing elevated temperatures to the region this weekend into the early part of next week,” Environment Canada noted, while adding that a gradual cooling trend is likely later in the week.
The B.C. Wildfire Service warned on Friday that prolonged heat and dry conditions will persist into the coming days. Officials cautioned that parched forest fuels heighten the risk of wildfires, urging residents to handle permitted fires carefully and remain mindful that sparks from vehicles or equipment could trigger blazes.
