Lightning sparks wildfires

Photo: Crystal Weber

It was a busy night for B.C. RCMP because of 28 new wildfires that started burning, mostly due to lightning, says B.C. RCMP spokesperson Dawn Roberts. 

On the evening of Saturday Aug. 12 and overnight, the B.C. interior finally received some rain and with that high winds and lightning.  As of Aug. 13 there are 163 wildfires burning across the province. 

"The fire activity we've seen in the last 24 hours is a reminder people need to be prepared for an evacuation everywhere in the province," said Robert Turner assistant deputy manager of Emergency Management B.C. "We expect to see possible changes in orders and alerts everywhere in the Cariboo area and around Elephant Hill over the course of the day."

So far 664,920 hectares have burned across B.C. and there are currently 4016 personnel fighting the fires including 682 from out of the province, costing B.C. $285.2 million to date. 

The public should turn their headlights on while driving through smoky conditions because it not only helps you see what is in front of you better, it also turns on the tail lights so that people coming from behind can see you better, according to Ed Miska, executive director of engineering with the Ministry of Transportation.

There is light rain and wind forecasted for the Cariboo which could cause fires to spread.  

For more information on wildfires and evacuations visit the BC Wildfire Service.