Lightning Sparks Small Wildfires

By Kate Bouey

May 31, 2019 | 11:01 AM

Lightning yesterday afternoon sparked 11 new wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre, according to BC Wildfire spokesperson Taylor MacDonald.

Most are believed to be spot sized.

The closest is by Kealy Creek, northwest of Lumby, which is only .01 hectares in size.

MacDonald says it is also believed to have been caused by lightning although the BC Wildfire website says it was person caused.

Environment Canada is predicting the risk of more lightning storms in the Thompson-Okanagan region this afternoon and this evening.

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Meteorologist Armel Castellan says 4,000-plus lightning strikes hit the Kamloops region yesterday, sparking 12 wildfires.

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by Kate Bouey

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