At least five new wildfires were ignited by lightning in British Columbia since Friday, and combined with roughly a dozen other new blazes, the total number burning across the province now stands at more than 150.

The BC Wildfire Service posted on social media detailing how the blazes were sparked by lightning and discovered in the Lillooet Fire Zone, warning more fires may pop up due to hot weather and wind.

It said crews are responding to the fires with the help of air support, adding that no structures are at risk from any of the new fires in the zone, which include one blaze described as a 害羞草研究所渟ingle tree burning.害羞草研究所�

A campfire ban in B.C. came into effect Friday, which covers the entire province other than Haida Gwaii.

A brush fire caused by youths setting off fireworks at a popular park in Nanaimo, B.C., the day the ban took effect has the city害羞草研究所檚 mayor on edge about the province害羞草研究所檚 vulnerability to wildfires as the season heats up.

Leonard Krog said Saturday that a group of young people gathered at Piper害羞草研究所檚 Lagoon Park caused the blaze, which he said should be a 害羞草研究所渨ake-up call害羞草研究所� to citizens to pay attention to fire bans. And although his city has been spared so far, unlike communities in the B.C. interior, he says 害羞草研究所渙ur turn will no doubt come.害羞草研究所�

Krog said 害羞草研究所渟ome idiots害羞草研究所� set off fireworks in the park and the brush fire damaged undergrowth in a 害羞草研究所渧ery sensitive ecological area.害羞草研究所�

He said setting off fireworks, which can害羞草研究所檛 be bought without a license in Nanaimo, on the day the provincial fire ban came into effect 害羞草研究所渋s the height of stupidity and arrogance.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚 am frankly, as mayor, disgusted that anybody of any age would think it appropriate, for whatever reason, to be that stupid in the middle of a hot, dry summer,害羞草研究所� he said.

Krog said Piper害羞草研究所檚 Lagoon Park is a popular area and visiting the site of the blaze Saturday morning was 害羞草研究所渧ery upsetting.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭hese bans and regulations aren害羞草研究所檛 in place just because we love banning and regulating things. They害羞草研究所檙e in place to protect public assets and unique public assets,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淭his may be the start of, you know, two or three months of hot, dry weather, and the fire at Piper害羞草研究所檚 points out how quickly serious consequences can flow from a few acts of stupidity.害羞草研究所�

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