Wildfires in B.C. closed a major highway and forced the evacuation of several properties and the declaration of two local states of emergency Wednesday.

Many of the fires affecting Highway 97, the Okanagan’s main north-south highway, were sparked on Tuesday when a lightning storm rolled across the Interior during a stretch of hot dry weather.

More than 40 fires broke out across the province, including at least nine significant fires in the Okanagan Valley and two significant fires in the Central Interior.

Highway closed temporarily

By Wednesday afternoon, the Mount Eneas wildfire near Peachland had grown to 200 hectares and was threatening homes in the Okanagan Valley.