Showers arrive for parts of B.C. as almost 500 wildfires burn across province

For the first time in more than a month, showers and cooler weather are reaching parched sections of British Columbia, potentially bringing some respite for crews battling hundreds of wildfires.

Environment Canada says about 20 millimetres of rain should dampen Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.

But showers could be spottier around Kamloops, where a fire just south of the city has forced the evacuation of 344 properties.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the fire was first spotted Friday and now covers 18 square kilometres, prompting the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to sharply boost evacuation orders Sunday.

The fire, which has been fanned by strong winds, is one of nearly 500 active wildfires across B.C., an increase of about 100 in barely three days.

The wildfire danger rating is at high to extreme across southern B.C., including around Cranbook, where the week-old St. Mary's River blaze has charred 40 square kilometres, forcing evacuations and alerts for hundreds of properties.

Environment Canada expects showers and cooler temperatures won't reach Cranbrook and much of B.C.'s southeast corner.

The BCWS is reporting 487 active wildfires across the province, including 28 in the past 24 hours, with more than half ranked as out of control.