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June 28, 2016 - 9:46 AM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Lightning is being blamed for sparking half a dozen new fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre yesterday.
B.C. Wildfire says six new spot fires started following last night's lightning storm, June 27, and there is a threat more could be sparked this week.
Information officer Rachel Witt says three new fires started in Penticton, two in Merritt, and one in Vernon.
All of the fires are under one hectare, but Witt says the problem with lightning is that some fires could be sparked days after it strikes.
No structures are at risk right now, but that could change by the end of this week due to a streak of hot, dry weather in the forecast. Witt encourages anyone who sees signs of a fire to contact B.C. Wildfire.
“People should still be aware there might be lightning starts," Witt says. "There’s definitely potential in the next couple of days we’ll be seeing some more lightning.”
Last week the fire danger rating for Kamloops Fire Centre was low, but it has already increased in some areas to moderate. Witt says there are some pockets of high danger in areas such as Salmon Arm, Lillooet and Clearwater.
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