FILE PHOTO
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
August 01, 2020 - 9:16 AM
Lightning is the culprit behind 15 new wildfires that started yesterday in the Kamloops Fire Centre.
“We did have a storm cell that passed through the fire centre last night and it has ignited several wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre. So far, (we estimate there are) 15 lightning-caused wildfires, and the BC Wildfire Service is monitoring and assessing as reported,” said fire information officer Gagan Lidhran.
Thunderstorms may also occur this afternoon in Kelowna and Vernon, according to Environment Canada. In a previous interview with iNFOnews, Doug Lundquist, meteorologist with Environment Canada, said there's also a chance of thunderstorms on Monday in the Okanagan.
READ MORE: Thompson Okanagan residents capture stunning photos of lightning strikes
The BC Wildfire Service’s active service map is reporting there are currently 17 active wildfires in the fire centre, an increase from 16 initially reported this morning. Lidhran noted that numbers will likely fluctuate throughout the day as more fires are discovered.
“Right now we’re still assessing the situation, we still have crews going out to fires, (numbers may change) if there’s more action or if they’ve self-extinguished,” she said.
A wildfire east of Okanagan Falls, near Solco Creek, is currently the largest fire in the Kamloops Fire Centre, reaching eight hectares last night.
READ MORE: Wildfire east of Okanagan Falls grows to 8 hectares
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020