By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle Staff
Active wildfires in BC doubled after thunderstorms rolled through parts of the province on July 30 and 31 resulting in more than 35,000 lightning strikes across the province, many that went on to become wildfires.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said Kamloops, Prince George, Southeast, and Cariboo Fire Centres were among the most affected regions. In the past 24 hours (as of the morning of August 1), 64 new wildfires had been detected, bringing the total number of active wildfires in the province to 129.
Currently in this region one wildfire resulting from a lightening strick is burning out of control southeast of the Vaseux Protected Area and is 0.009 ha in size. The fire is currently not being actioned.
Meanwhile in Washington state a number of wildfires were sparked by lightening including three east and southeast of Oroville which sent smoke into the Okanagan Valley. At least two of those are still burning – the Dry Gulch/Eden fire near the Canadian Border east of Oroville, and the Stud Horse Incident currently at 541 acres, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Back in BC the Drought Hill wildfire – suspected to be human-caused – is now considered to be “Held”. The fire, approximately two kilometres north of Peachland between Hwy. 97 and Hwy. 97C closed the highways on July 30 before opening for single lane traffic.
The Drought Hill wildfire which started on July 30 is now considered “held”.
BCWS photo
Evacuations took place while a full onslaught of initial attack crews, response officers, structure protection personnel and aerial support, including helicopters, tankers and skimmers along with various fire departments worked the fire from mid-afternoon on Wednesday, July 30. The BCWS warned boaters to stay clear of the area as they were using Okanagan Lake as a water source for skimmers throughout the afternoon on the July 30.
Location of the Drought Hill wildfire north of Peachland.
Meanwhile, following a stretch of hot and dry weather, humidity levels are beginning to rise across BC today, BCWS said. Patchy rain has already been observed in the Southeast Fire Centre and eastern areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Thunderstorm activity continues, with widespread lightning forecast across the eastern half of the province. While not all storms will produce rainfall, locally heavy downpours are possible, it added. Looking ahead to Saturday, lightning activity is expected to continue, with temperatures remaining near seasonal averages.
“The potential for new wildfire starts remains high, particularly in areas where lightning occurs without accompanying rainfall and in regions already heavily affected by recent lightning events,” BCWS said.
Category 2 open fire remains prohibited across the province and campfires are prohibited in most of the Coastal Fire Centre. A category 1 campfire is defined as any fire that is no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
“Stay up to date with prohibitions and restrictions in your area and remember to recreate responsibly,” the BCWS urged.
Wildfires should be reported by calling 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on your mobile device or by using the “Report” function in the BC Wildfire mobile app.
