Recent rain won't make difference to drought: Bowinn Ma

Recent rain and cooler weather have sharply cut the wildfire risk across B.C., but Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma says the showers won't make any difference to the severe drought gripping the province.

Ma made the comment while delivering an update today on wildfires in B.C. which have already charred more area than during any other fire season on record.

The number of active wildfires has fallen to about 400 down roughly 100 since earlier this month, while the B.C. Wildfire Service says just eight new fires were recorded over the last 24 hours.

But there is concern about another hot spell expected in the next week and lightning is also in the forecast for some areas today, with a severe thunderstorm watch now issued for the Fraser Canyon including the Lillooet, Seton (SEET'-un) and Gold Bridge regions, where several fires have forced evacuation orders and alerts.