Since Saturday, Aug. 10, the Kamloops Fire Centre report that they have responded to over 120 fires in the area.
One wildfire, reported on Aug. 10, and situated north of Kamloops near Vinsulla (2km north of Lyons Lake), covered nearly 69 hectares, it was reported as fully contained within two days thanks to 31 firefighters.
On Aug. 12 alone, there were 36 new fires, all lightning caused. Of the 36, the three closest to Kamloops were: Napier Lake, which was in mop-up stage on Tuesday; a fire north of Pinantan, with four personnel attending on Tuesday; and one near McGillvary Road, which was being patrolled on Tuesday.
While most of these fires have remained small, recent lightning storms have caused an increase in fire activity throughout the fire centre.
On Tuesday another fire was spotted at Twall Lake, to which an air tanker helped in the morning, then by afternoon was being handled by one helicopter and seven personnel on site. This fire, as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, was at 0.3 hectares.
Consistent thunderstorms within the North Thompson have brought with them multiple lightening strikes, which has become a regular occurrence over the past few days.
As of press time, thunderstorms were still being forecast to continue throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.
The Kamloops Fire Centre stretches from the northern border of Wells Gray Park near Blue River to the U.S. border to the south, and from the Bridge River Glacier west of Gold Bridge to the Monashee Mountains east of Lumby.
The Wildfire Management Branch relies on the public to report any smoke or flame by calling 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on your cellular phone.