(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
July 03, 2014 - 11:57 AM
KAMLOOPS - A fire burning in a cut block east of Shuswap Lake that is ‘quite visible’ from Sicamous was likely started by lightning last night and B.C. Wildfire crews expect more of these types of fires could pop up over the next week.
“There was quite a bit last night and we’re forecasting lightning for tonight and tomorrow as well,” Fire Information Officer Kelsey Winter says, adding lightning-caused fire starts can be delayed. “They can hold over for two to three days.”
The fire north of Sicamous in the Queest Creek area is the only one to be reported to the fire centre following the lightning last night and was originally reported as 10 ha in size. Fire Information Officer says when crews mapped the fire today it was actually only one hectare.
"Fire can seems a lot bigger at night ," she says. "When crews got on site it only mapped at one hectare, but there's still a lot of smoke."
Forestry equipment was in the area and was key in helping to establish a guard.
“The fire is contained at this point,” Winter says. “Industry equipment was in the cut block…. Having them there was a wonderful assistance for sure.”
Currently a three person initial attack crew and a response officer are on scene and determining if more crews will be needed.
Winter says the lightning forecast for tonight and tomorrow will be focused in the Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm areas.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
Image Credit: Google Maps
— This story was updated at 2:48 p.m. with actual size of fire.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014