Crews responding to multiple B.C. wildfires caused by weekend lightning strikes

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Firefighters are responding to multiple wildfires in B.C.’s southwest region caused lightning strikes over the weekend.

A number of fires were sparked over a 48-hour period after thunderstorms rolled through the region with lightning and minimal rain. While there are no wildfires of note, crews are currently responding to at least five fires.

Four fires are currently visible in the Revelstoke area, located either on or near Mount Begbie, while a fifth – dubbed the Burton Creek wildfire – is located 35 kilometres south of Nakusp.

Two of the largest fires are measuring about 0.1 hectares in size as of Sunday afternoon. Ground crews are also being supported by airtankers and rappel crews.

“With these thunderstorm cells carrying minimal rain, it is expected that more fires will be discovered over the morning hours,” read a notice issued by the B.C. Wildfire Service fire information office Kim Wright.