400 lightning strikes

Photo: Avalanche Canada

Fire Danger Rating Map and past 24-hour lightning.

A lightning storm that passed through parts of the Okanagan Wednesday night kept officials at the Kamloops Fire Centre busy.

According to fire information officer Rachel Witt, about 400 lightning strikes were reported throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

However, no fires have materialized from those strikes – yet.

Witt said the area around a lightning strike can smoulder for three or four days before conditions are right to ignite a fire.

"Over the next few days, especially with the hot weather, we will likely see fires pop up," said Witt.

More lightning is expected around the province over the long weekend. A severe thunderstorm watch is currently in effect for eastern portions of the province, including the East and West Kootenays and the Arrow Lakes region.

With the prospect of some nature-caused fires around the Canada Day long weekend, Witt said people venturing into the wilderness are being asked to be extra careful.

"We want to remind everyone there are prohibitions in place and, when human-caused fires start that our resources get diverted to those.

"We want to make sure everyone is following the prohibitions, everyone is careful with their campfires that are still allowed, so our resources are free to fight the naturally occurring wildfires."

Category two and three restrictions are in place.

This means campfires greater than one half metre in size are not permitted. Having more than one fire going at once is also prohibited.