More evacuations, alerts, reflect difficult wildfire season in B.C.

At least 12 new evacuation orders or alerts have been issued over the last day in British Columbia as lightning storms and drought conditions add to the challenge of fighting hundreds of wildfires.

The orders and alerts cover thousands of hectares of land mainly in the Prince George and Northwest fire centres.

The BC Wildfire Service says just over two-thirds of the province's roughly 330 fires are raging in those two centres.

Environment Canada has posted air-quality statements for much of central and northern B.C. and parts of Yukon as far north as Faro, with conditions not expected to ease for at least the next day or two.