Weatherhood B.C.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Heavy rains in San Antonio rapidly flooded roads, swept away submerged cars and sent some people scrambling up trees to escape fast-rising waters Thursday while firefighters made dozens of rescues across the nation’s seventh-larges

The mayor of Squamish, B.C., said he knew it was a stressful time for residents, as an out-of-control wildfire burns in hills above the community where a local state of emergency was declared this week.

Natural Resources Canada is forecasting an extreme fire risk in southern British Columbia in July, while southwestern B.C. — including Vancouver Island — is expected to be hotter and drier than normal.

VANCOUVER — Thunderstorm warnings and watches have been posted for a large section of southeastern B.C., cautioning residents that lightning, strong winds, hail and heavy rain are all possible.

MONTREAL — The number of Quebec homes located in flood zones will likely increase by 30 per cent when new maps are introduced next year, the province's environment minister said Thursday.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The death toll in floods in one of South Africa’s poorest provinces rose to at least 78 on Thursday as a top official said rescue attempts in the first hours after the disaster had been “paralyzed” by a lack of resource

A fast-growing wildfire near Squamish has forced the temporary closure of Skyridge Montessori School after parents first spotted smoke on Monday afternoon; Sea to Sky School District schools remain open.

CALGARY — Two major oilsands operators say business is returning to normal after nearby wildfires forced shutdowns at their northeastern Alberta sites. Cenovus Energy Inc.

VICTORIA — British Columbia's River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisories for a large swath of waterways in the province.

The District of Squamish has declared a state of emergency as the Dryden Creek wildfire continues to burn out of control, prompting expanded evacuation alerts and a full campfire ban.