More heat and smoke in the forecast for B.C. as temperature records tumble

British ColumbiaEnvironment Canada has issued heat warnings for sections of the Boundary region, the North Coast, the Fraser Canyon and the North and South Thompson, saying temperatures will reach the mid-30s through to Thursday, with lows overnight down to about 18 C. Heat warnings issued for North Coast, Fraser Canyon, part of Boundary region, North and South Thompson regionsThe Canadian Press · Posted: Sep 02, 2025 2:18 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoPeople enjoy the sun at Second Beach in Vancouver during a heat wave in May 2023. Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for numerous parts of B.C. this week, including the Boundary region, the North Coast, the Fraser Canyon and the North and South Thompson. (Justine Boulin/CBC)A ridge of high pressure has prompted more heat warnings in British Columbia and broken temperature records, including one that was nearly a century old. Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for sections of the Boundary region, the North Coast, the Fraser Canyon and the North and South Thompson, saying temperatures will reach the mid-30s through to Thursday, with lows overnight down to about 18 C. The agency says the high temperatures create a moderate risk to public health in those areas and that those who are at risk need to take precautions. Records fell in more than a dozen locations on Monday. In Clearwater, the mercury reached 35.6 C and surpassed a daily record set in 1928, while in Quesnel the temperature of 33.6 C broke a high established in 1938. Clearwater reached 35.6 C on Monday, surpassing a daily record set in 1928. (CBC)The B.C. Wildfire Service says the heat wave has left fuels susceptible to wildfires and lightning storms across the southern Interior and southeast region, lifting the number of wildfires burning in the province to more than 160. The fires have prompted air quality warnings for much of central B.C. and through the northeastern part of the province, with Environment Canada saying the smoke may not lift in those regions until Thursday.