Photo: Mat O'Flynn

One of the many local lightning strikes on the evening of July 17.

The Okanagan-Similkameen region has been experiencing unusual weather, which is impacting the fight against wildfires.

Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald tells Castanet News there were more than 10,000 lightning strikes across the province Tuesday night. Those strikes sparked numerous brush fires which have now developed into seven "fires of note" in our region.

Unfortunately, there is lightning in the forecast.

"We do have the risk of thunderstorms in the forecast today in the afternoon today, so keep an eye on those skies. Primarily over the ridge tops is where we're expecting the storms to develop but it will be another tricky day today," MacDonald says.

The temperatures are expected to cool down today, "bit of a break temperature wise but in terms of rain, there is just absolutely nothing on the radar."

In fact, Macdonald says if we hadn't had some rain in June things could be much worse.

"It looks super dry. There is just no hint of rain well into the first part of August. With the gusty winds and relatively dry conditions, it's just really not helping."