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Lightning storm

UPDATE: Crews busy with multiple new wildfires

Aug 3, 2020 | 3:01 PM

UPDATE Monday Aug. 3

There are 41 active fires in B.C. today according to the BC Wildfire Service, with 19 of those in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

One on Bobbie Burns Mountain north of Lumby is listed at 0.10 hectare with a suspected lightning cause.

An evacuation alert has been issued for the Dry Lake wildfire northwest of Princeton.

For further information go to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s website: http://ow.ly/ofa150APSnw.

Twenty-nine personnel and 11 pieces of heavy equipment are being supported by four helicopters. Airtankers have completed their objective for the evening. The fire is currently classified as out of control.

The Coldwater River wildfire fire is 27 kilometres southwest of Merritt and is adjacent to Highway 5.

It is estimated at 7 hectares in size.

Ten personnel are currently on-site working to establish control lines. No structures are threatened at this time.

The Dry Lake wildfire in the Merritt Fire Zone is estimated at 22 hectares in size and is located 24 kilometres northwest of Princeton. 29 personnel are receiving support from aerial resources and 11 pieces of heavy equipment. No structures are threatened at this time.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m Aug. 2

The East Pooley Lake wildfire fire east of Kamloops, is currently classified as being held, meaning the Wildfire Service does not anticipate any further spread beyond the existing or predetermined boundaries.

The fire is sized at approximately 0.87 hectares and no structures are threatened at this time.

UPDATE 12 p.m.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to the East Pooley Lake wildfire, located approximately 29 kilometres east of Kamloops and visible from Highway 97 and Highway 1.

Two initial attack crews and a response officer are on site.

UPDATE Aug. 2

B.C. Wildfire crews are responding to the Burton Creek wildfire.

The fire is estimated at 0.3 hectares in size and is located 35 kilometers south of Nakusp.

Ground crews are receiving support from both air tanker and rappel crews.

The Wildfire Service is also responding to multiple wildfires located on or near Mount Begbie that are visible from Revelstoke.

The largest fire is estimated at 0.1 hectares in size and there are multiple crews on scene with helicopter support.

The wildfire service also listed a new fire Saturday called Bellevista [sic] near Vernon at 0.01 hectare (spot sized).

UPDATE 1 p.m. Aug. 1

An update from the Kamloops Fire Centre:

A storm cell passed through the fire centre late Friday evening, which has ignited multiple wildfires in the region. So far, the BC Wildfire Service has confirmed 15 new wildfires.

“We are continuing to monitor and assess reports of wildfire this morning. Holdover fires from lightning may continue to arise throughout the heat of the day as we continue to experience hot and dry conditions. At this time, there are no fires of note,” said the service on Twitter.

According to the fire service, there are five new fires in the Kamloops area including one at Monte Lake listed at 0.01 hectare.

There is now no fires listed for Silver Star, after a 0.01 hectare blaze was put out.

The fire near Monte Lake was also extinguished.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.

The Solco Creek wildfire about 27 kilometres northeast of Oliver, is roughly 13.8 hectares in size and is classified as out of control.

There are 41 personnel, 3 helicopters and 1 piece of heavy equipment responding. No structures are threatened at this time.

EARLIER

A lightning storm Friday night is thought to be the cause of a number of new wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The B.C. Wildfire Service is reporting 15 new wildfires in the Centre including a couple in the Silver Star area near Vernon, both small at 0.01 of a hectare.

There is also one listed on Bobbie Burns Mountain north of Lumby at the same size.

All the other fires in the centre are under one hectare.

Meantime, the Wildfire Service says the smoke and haze in some parts of B.C. including the Okanagan is likely coming from wildfires in Washington and Montana.

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