Penticton Fire and Rescue and B.C. Wildfire are responding to several small spot fires caused by lightning strikes.

(SHANNON QUESNEL / iNFOnews.ca)

UPDATE 9:05 a.m., Aug. 2, 2013

PENTICTON - Fire crews were kept busy on Thursday handling small spot fires left by lightning strikes in the Naramata and Peachland areas.

While hundreds of strikes were detected last night during storms in the Kamloops fire region, there was plenty of rain with some areas getting 10 mm. B.C. Wildfire and local firefighters hit 16 small fires caused by lightning.

B.C. Wildfire reconnaissance aircraft will monitor the area for any further wildfires, spokesperson Michaela Swan said. She also warned Thursday's rain was not enough to reduce the risk of wildfires.

"The majority of the rain received will be dried from the forest by this afternoon," she said. The campfire ban will remain in effect until significant and widespread precipitation is received across the region.

Swan added the number of phone calls from the public meant quicker response times and "We thank all those that took the time to notify us."

If you see a forest fire call *5555 on your cell phone or use a landline and call 1-800-663-5555.

Environment Canada predicts thunderstorms are here to stay in Penticton with more showers on Friday and a risk of another thunderstorm this afternoon and one this evening and Saturday evening. There's also a 60 per cent chance it will rain tomorrow with sunny skies returning on Monday.

To contact a reporter for this story, to send photos or videos, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065 or tweet @shannonquesnel1

PENTICTON - Lightning strikes ignited several small spot fires up above Naramata and just south of Peachland.

B.C. Wildfire have three crews in the Naramata area and one near Peachland, spokesperson Michaela Swan said. Unfortunately Thursday's thunderstorm brought little rain to the area. So far no structures or residents are in jeopardy.

Swan said these fires can hold over and grow in size. Residents are asked to be vigilant and report any fire or smoke.

To contact a reporter for this story, to send photos or videos, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065 or tweet @shannonquesnel1

News from © iNFOnews, 2013