Thundershowers to bring moisture to fire-weary regions of British Columbia

The BC Wildfire Service says thundershowers are expected to bring some much-needed moisture to areas of the province where hundreds of fires are burning, including a destructive blaze in the Kootenays.

It says in an update that the moisture will likely arrive in the Rocky Mountain Trench in the northeast, as well as the Southeast Fire Centre.

There were about 415 fires burning in British Columbia Wednesday, down slightly from the day before, with 163 out of control and four classified as wildfires of note, meaning they are highly visible or pose a threat to people or property.

About 110 fires are burning in the Southeast Fire Centre, including the Komonko Creek blaze that the Regional District of Central Kootenay said on Monday had destroyed at least five homes and 15 other structures along Highway 6.

In the Prince George Fire Centre in B.C.'s northeast, about 170 fires are burning.

The wildfire service says there have been 256 new starts across B.C. in the last seven days, with about 82 per cent believed to be have been caused by lightning.