B.C. wildfires update: 70 new fires, many caused by lightning

July is off to a fiery start in parts of B.C. with 136 active fires today, including 70 new fires since Thursday.

Cliff Chapman, Director of Provincial Operations for the B.C Wildfire Service, told a tele-conference update with media Friday the fires are mostly in the southeast, Interior, Cariboo and Prince George areas.

“Yesterday a storm system around Kamloops and the Okanagan led to 12,000 lightning strikes, many were hitting near communities as was seen in Kamloops area,” Chapman said.

Chapman said of the 70 new fires Thursday, none grew beyond 100 hectares.

“But we do expect to pick up new fires from the lightning activity, likely around 70 more today. And more lightning could hit later today in the Interior and southeast corner of province.”

As of Friday, 1,362 homes were under evacuation order with 950 under evacuation alert.

Chapman says the heat dome and super dry conditions have been factors in the new fires and growth, and he said the warmer weather is expected to continue at least the next week.

The Wildfire Service is working with the federal government on getting more aviation and ground resources to fight fires.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said they have heard of two fire-related fatalities in Lytton but that’s not official as it’s not safe for the coroner’s team to go into the area as yet.

Emergency Management BC was not aware of how many Lytton residents were unaccounted for.

Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoiet, Senior Media Relations Officer with RCMP, gave condolences to the people of Lytton and noted the RCMP detachment was among the buildings destroyed in the community.

She said Lytton is still subject to an evacuation order and police have been unable to get in due to numerous hazards.

Shoiet said a grid search will be the first thing they do when they are able to get into the area.

“We really need to ensure the area is safe prior to getting in there,” said Shoiet.

All the evacuated residents are advised to register at reception centres so they can connect with loved ones.