Like the province, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District is also urging people to be careful about not starting wildfires as we head into the B.C. Day long weekend this year.

Emergency Program Coordinator Kevin Skrepnek says the hot weather and the possibility of thunderstorms mean conditions are prime for wildfires.

“You know, it’s been a relatively quiet season insofar, that’s great, especially given the complications from COVID, but from a TNRD perspective, we come into the picture if there is going to be a need for people to evacuate,” he told NL News.

“We’re going to be keeping a close eye on that to see if we need to activate over the weekend.”

Environment Canada is calling for the possibility of thunderstorms tonight into tomorrow, and temperatures are poised to hit as high as 39 C in Kamloops today.

Skrepnek says while Kamloops has had a relatively wet summer to this point, it does not mean we’re out of the woods with respect to the wildfire season.

“With this kind of a weather system, there’s definitely the potential for some lightning that could be dry lightning, and obviously with it having been a relatively dry week, that’s a bit of a concern,” he added.

“That in combination with us going into a long weekend with more people out there recreating and camping out in the back country, it is a cause for concern on both fronts.”

You’re still allowed campfires everywhere across the province, but people are urged to be check for any local restrictions and to be careful around all open fires. People are also urged to be careful on all-terrain vehicles and to dispose off cigarette butts properly.

As always to report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, you’re asked to call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.