Representatives from the BC Wildfire Service, Emergency Management BC, and the RCMP gave an update on the current wildfire situation in British Columbia on Thursday, July 27th.

Currently, there is over 4,000  personnel working on suppression, including out of province support and contractors.

The BC Wildfire Service has responded to 794 wildfires across B.C., burning an estimated 379,000 hectares. Costs of fire suppression by the BC Wildfire Service to date is estimated at $154 million.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue to pose challenges to wildfire suppression and put communities at high risk for fire.

There continues to be potential for lightning for a wide area of the province today and tomorrow, and moderate to strong winds are expected to continue to be a challenge in areas where they are already responding to fires. No rain is in sight for the province.

Sergeant Annie Linteau from the RCMP gave some information on an incident that occurred on Tuesday, July 25th, at about 1:30 p.m. where police were notified of a spot activation in Anahim Lake.

Two hikers had to be rescued by helicopter out of Anahim Lake after becoming stranded. The rescue took place at approximately 4:10 p.m.

The area is currently closed due to high fire risk, and the hikers were found to have started a campfire and were charged two fines equally $1,233.

More information about the incident is expected to be known later in the afternoon on Thursday, July 27th.