Several lightning-sparked fires burn in B.C.’s Southern Interior

Lightning strikes and widespread heat warnings have pushed the wildfire risk into the high or extreme range in B.C.’s Southern Interior once again.

Environment Canada’s lightning danger map shows dozens of strikes early Friday in the Kamloops, North Thompson, Shuswap, and North Columbia regions. The BC Wildfire Service says of the 51 active fires in the province right now, and almost half were sparked by lightning.

The BC Wildfire Service is currently responding to numerous fires in the Vernon zone of the Kamloops Fire Centre. A lightning event which moved through the area last night and this morning has created multiple new starts. pic.twitter.com/83ftI8d9oT

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 29, 2022

The BC Wildfire Service add they are responding to three wildfires west of Kamloops.

“The wildfires are approximately 1.6 km apart from each other. The Cornwall Creek wildfire (K20817) is estimated at two hectares. The Minaberriet Creek wildfire is estimated at 16.6 hectares,” said a BC Wildfire Service statement.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to three wildfires approx. 11.5 km SW of Ashcroft. The wildfires are approximately 1.6 km apart from each other. The Cornwall Creek wildfire (K20817) is estimated at two hectares. The Minaberriet Creek wildfire is estimated at 16.6 hectares. pic.twitter.com/uwmlcnMZGC

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 29, 2022

Currently, the only wildfire of note remains the Nohomin Creek wildfire near the village of Lytton, which has grown to over 26 square kilometres.

“As a result of the high daytime temperatures, low humidity, and light to moderate winds, the fire reached the top of the ridge upslope of the Fraser River,” said a BC Wildfire Service statement.

“Today, July 29, similar hot and dry conditions are expected, and fire activity will likely increase again by mid-day.”

(Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service)

Most of B.C. is also under heat warnings, with temperatures up to 40 degrees in many parts of the Interior, and maps from the BC Wildfire Service show the fire risk rated as high to extreme across all but the far northwestern corner of the province.

Related links

• Lytton First Nation members forced from homes due to Nohomin Creek wildfire

• No campfire ban expected for B.C. during heat wave or August long weekend

• BC SPCA reminding owners not to leave pets in cars during upcoming heatwave

Fourteen more temperature records were broken in B.C. Thursday and the River Forecast Centre says the heat is melting glaciers and high-level snowpacks, prompting a flood watch for the Chilcotin and Chilko rivers west of Williams Lake, as well as the Lillooet River and its tributaries around Pemberton

Updates can be found at the BC Wildfire Service.

-With files from the Canadian Press