Lightning strikes across the province over the past 48-hours has been a cause for concern for many British Columbians.
BC Wildfire Services.A lightning map from BC Wildfire Services for June 20. The coloured circles on the map below indicate where lightning struck.
A whopping 19,000 lighting strikes hit B.C. on Wednesday, only to be followed by another 28,000 strikes on Thursday. Officials say the nearly 40,000 strikes were responsible for 105 new wildfire starts across the province.
#BCWildfire Service crews, aviation resources, and heavy equip. responding to 72 wildfires in the Northwest & Prince George Fire Centres due to lightning yesterday. No current risk to communities/structures. Pictured: Taltapin Lake Fire. Full details: https://t.co/nWTuBndhR8 pic.twitter.com/6zh39aTn76
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) June 21, 2018
The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a ~20 ha #BCwildfire located ~13 km NW of #LoganLake and ~28 km SW of #Kamloops. This wildfire is now a Wildfire of Note on our website. For continuing updates as new information becomes available, visit: https://t.co/KCcxNN0GP3 pic.twitter.com/NmhRaWKReL
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) June 21, 2018
We're responding to dozens of new fires across #BC this afternoon, mainly due to intense lightning in central and southern BC. Largest so far is a 90 ha #BCwildfire ~15 km west of #BurnsLake (pictured below). It's burning aggressively & visible from nearby communities & #BCHwy16 pic.twitter.com/b0QBghyZAT
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) June 20, 2018
Kamloops residents were holding their collective breath on Thursday evening after lightning sparked a 60-hectare wildfire that led to the evacuation of 12 homes.
Crews were able to control the blaze by nightfall, however the aggressive grassfire was a serious reminder that wildfire season has officially begun.
#BCWildfire is assisting @KamFire with a highly visible wildfire in the Batchelor Heights area of #Kamloops. Ground personnel and air support have been deployed. pic.twitter.com/xRIhAtuCy7
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) June 22, 2018
On Friday, officials expanded burning prohibitions on open burns, fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches and other fire concerns were announced for the entire Kamloops Fire Centre region.
#BCWildfire Service Bulletin: Burn prohibitions set to expand in #Kamloops Fire Centre. Read the bulletin on our website: https://t.co/6c2mGnGcYs pic.twitter.com/Cz1Xgivjk1
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) June 22, 2018
The 1,200 hectare Kolsch Lake wildfire near Prince George is currently the largest of the 205 total blazes burning in the province.
Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Services.
According to officials, an estimated 1,000 wildfire fighters and over 100 contractors are currently deployed as B.C. prepares for another bout with fire season.
