Wildfire Service is bracing for a surge of new wildfires this week as a prolonged dry spell, severe drought conditions and dry lightning increase the risk of new fires. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementForecasters expect dry lightning to return beginning late Thursday and continuing through Friday and Saturday, exacerbating already "explosive" conditions. "When you put in 85 to 100 km/h winds on top of that it is an explosive and extremely dangerous situation B.C. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementAcross B.C., about 7,300 properties are under evacuation order, while another 3,000 properties — affecting more than 7,100 people — are under evacuation alert. Fine particulate matter are small particles, typically caused by wildfire smoke, vehicles and burning material, that affect the lungs and heart.