Environment Canada says high temperature records for July 9 were either set or tied in 37 different communities across British Columbia as the heat wave drags on.

That includes Kamloops, where the mercury topped out at 40.6 C, two degrees above the previous mark of 38.6 set in 2015.

It wasn’t the hottest place, as Lytton, Ashcroft/Cache Creek, and Lillooet recorded temperatures of 42.5 C, 42.1 C and 41.6 C respectively.

Lytton’s previous record high for July 9 was 40.6 set in 1975, while Lillooet’s old record of 40.6 C was set back in 1926. The Ashcroft and Cache Creek-area broke an old record of 40.2 C set in 2015.

Records were also set in Blue River, Clinton, Kelowna, Merritt, Vernon, and Williams Lake, while the 38.2 C reached in Clearwater tied the old record set in 2015.

Vernon’s new July 9 high of 39.6 broke the a 119 year old record of 36.7 set in 1905.

Temperatures are expected to hit at least 40 C in some Southern Interior communities today, with several others remaining in the mid 30s through this weekend.

The BC Wildfire Service will be bringing in a provincewide campfire ban at noon this Friday, July 12.

It says a cold front is forecast to sweep across northern B.C today, bringing with it strong winds, thunderstorms, and the potential for dry lightning.

While southern portions of the province will be less affected, the southern and central Interior may also see increased winds and “isolated dry lightning.”