Forestry crews on alert

Several days of scorching heat combined with dry lightning sparked 35 wildfires in the Kamloops Fire District.

Fire information officer Kelsey Winters said 22 of the fires were caused by dry lightning, while the rest were human caused.

“A majority of these fires were under a hectare in size," said Winters.

The largest fire ignited in the Penticton Fire Centre, where the lightning-caused Hunter Creek blaze is estimated to be 70 hectares. Winters said crews remain on scene and are working toward containment.

The recent fires put the region ahead of last year's fire count at this time, and above the 10-year average.

“It is concerning, for sure. We are keeping an eye on the situation,” Winters said. “Due to the early start of the fire season and the unseasonably dry conditions, we will be staying on top of this.”

Monday’s rainfall came as a relief to fire crews, however, lightning is forecast throughout the region this evening.

“We did have one fire already today in Salmon Arm. It was human caused and quickly brought under control," she said.

In the Southeast Fire District, the Westbridge fire, 11 kilometres north of Rock Creek, is now estimated at 26 hectares in size and is zero per cent contained. Three homes have been placed on an evacuation alert, and fire officials say there is heavy smoke in the area.

Information officer Fanny Bernard said the blaze is close to the highway and warns motorists not to stop on the side of the road to take photos or watch the fire, as it presents a hazard.

“There are eight other fires burning in the Boundary area, however there are no structures threatened,” said Bernard.

Dry lightning is also forecast in the Southeast District and, as the fire danger rating is already at a high, officials have banned the use of fireworks in the region.