The Cariboo Fire Centre confirmed Wednesday there are a ‘handful of new fires’ as a result of the lightning system that’s moved through the region, however nothing of major significance yet. Monica Lamb-Yorski photoLightning passing through the Cariboo region has sparked some new fires, but nothing of major significance yet, said Kevin Skrepnek, BCWS Chief Fire Information Officer. A severe thunderstorm watch reminds in effect. Angie Mindus photo

The Cariboo Fire Centre confirmed Wednesday there are a ‘handful of new fires’ as a result of the lightning system that’s moved through the region, however nothing of major significance yet. Monica Lamb-Yorski photoLightning passing through the Cariboo region has sparked some new fires, but nothing of major significance yet, said Kevin Skrepnek, BCWS Chief Fire Information Officer. A severe thunderstorm watch reminds in effect. Angie Mindus photo

Lightning sparks handful of fires in Cariboo region

So far none are larger than two hectares

Lightning has sparked four new fires in the Cariboo region, however, none of them are larger than two hectares, said Ryan Turcot, information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service.

“We’ve had significant lightning in the last 24 hours, even in the last two hours,” Turcot said Wednesday afternoon. “There are four other new wildfires in the region, but we have yet to determine the cause of them.”

A total of 60 firefighters and air tankers have been deployed to action the fires, including one south of Williams Lake near Dog Creek, he confirmed.

The BCWS interactive map shows a fire one kilometre south of Gibraltar Mine, one at Riske Creek, one near Desous Mountain, one near Buffalo Creek, and one at Smokey Lake Road.

Turcot said there was also a new one near Wells.

Earlier Wednesday, he told the Tribune a wildfire near Tatla Lake, west of Williams Lake, that was approximately 50 hectares in size was fully contained.

Read More: Tatla Lake fire now fully contained: BC Wildfire Service

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for the Cariboo region, with a chance of showers and thundershowers in the forecast for Thursday.

Read More: Severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Cariboo


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