140 lightning-caused wildfires detected in B.C. over last 3 days, service says
Lightning has sparked more than 100 new wildfires in British Columbia since Wednesday, as thunderstorms rolled through the provincial Interior.
The BC Wildfire Service says it recorded more than 17,000 lightning strikes across the province from Wednesday to Friday, with more anticipated on Saturday.
Fire information officer Briana Hill told CTV News August is typically the second-most-active month for lightning strikes in the province, after July, so it's not unusual to see many fires started by lightning during the month.
What's "significant," according to Hill, is the duration of the current weather pattern, which has so far brought three straight days of more than 4,000 lightning strikes province-wide.
There were 4,018 strikes on Wednesday, 5,205 on Thursday and 8,607 on Friday, according to BCWS statistics.
Those lightning strikes have led to 140 new wildfire incidents, though more than half – 52 per cent – are now classified as out, being held or under control.
According to the BCWS wildfire dashboard, there were 159 active fires in the province as of 1 p.m. Saturday. That total included 103 blazes that started in the last two days.
Lightning was reported as the cause of 125 of the listed fires, or nearly 80 per cent of the total.
HIGH WINDS IN THE FORECAST
In addition to the possibility of new lightning-sparked fires, crews were also contending with high winds on Saturday.
Gusts up to 50 km/h were in the forecast for parts of the province, bringing with them the potential for increased fire activity and spread, the wildfire service said on Twitter.
Wind can also dry out fuel, making it easier for fires to start, and it can increase the visibility of "holdover fires," the BCWS said.
A holdover fire is a small ignition that may have happened as long as three days ago, but hasn't been spreading or become highly visible, according to Neal McLoughlin, superintendent of predictive services for the BCWS.
"A good example would be where we have a lightning strike that is associated with a thundershower, and maybe some of the rain that's associated doesn't allow that fire to grow and be detected right away," McLoughlin said in a video shared on Twitter Saturday.
The wildfire service asks anyone who sees a possible wildfire to report it by calling 800-662-5555, or simply dialing *5555 from a cellphone.
Fires can also be reported via the BC Wildfire Service mobile app, the service said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.