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By Vernon Matters Staff

Moderate now, high coming?

Vernon fire risk rising as heat returns

Jul 21, 2025 | 8:01 AM

As we head into the second last week of July, Vernon is currently experiencing a moderate fire danger rating, according to Vernon Fire Rescue Services.

Cooler temperatures and scattered showers through Tuesday will help keep the risk from rising too quickly, but with warming and drying expected midweek, the danger level is forecast to increase.

By comparison, during the last week of July 2024, Vernon’s fire danger rating climbed from high to extreme, prompting a local campfire ban and warnings about rapid wildfire spread due to very dry fuels and extreme heat.

Across the southern half of the province, British Columbia’s wildfire service says much of B.C. is dealing with unsettled weather with rain falling in some areas that have been hot spots, but a drying trend is expected to settle in later this week.

The southern half of the province will continue to see showers, cooler temperatures, and gusty winds into Tuesday.

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Environment Canada issued severe thunderstorm watches Sunday for parts of the southern Interior, including Vernon, the Okanagan, South Thompson, and Boundary regions. Thankfully, those storms didn’t fully materialize. The risk of isolated thunderstorms, however, remains in the short-term forecast.

There are just over 70 active wildfires across the province, with fewer than 10 burning out of control.