The number of wildfires has ticked up in British Columbia as a hot, sunny week ended with thunderstorms and lightning in southern areas of the province.

BC Wildfire Service figures on Friday showed close to 90 active blazes, up from 68 on Wednesday, with about two dozen classified as burning out of control.

The service’s provincial situation report said parts of the Interior and the coastal fire centre saw some dry thunderstorm activity Friday morning.

It said further lightning strikes were expected in the southern half of B.C., including Vancouver Island, throughout the day.

Many areas where lightning was striking are hot and dry, with forest fuels highly susceptible to ignition, it said.

Environment Canada had issued thunderstorm bulletins for the Fraser Canyon, Nicola and South Tho

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