Six new wildfires may have been caused by lightning storm

Sunday night’s (July 17) thunderstorm through the Kamloops Fire Centre may have started six new wildfires.

Aydan Coray, Fire Information Officer for the B.C. Wildfire Service, says while a lightning strike may cause ignition, it may not immediately grow into a fire. But the heat can simmer underground for several days, or even weeks, and then flare up to become wildfires as the weather dries out and heats up.

“These are called ‘hold over’ fires, and it is for this reason that we continue to monitor areas after a lightning system has tracked through,” Coray says. “The public is also a very valuable resource in reporting wildfires, and they often help in reporting lightning strikes during hot and dry spells and resulting fires.”

Of the six new potential wildfires, two are near Kamloops. A 0.01-hectare blaze near Frederick Landing north of Kamloops Lake is out of control, while a 0.01-hectare blaze near Knouff Creek east of Black Pines is under control.