Image Credit: Contributed / Crissy Felker

By James Peters

B.C. Wildfire

VIDEO: Lightning-caused Kamloops Lake fires ‘out of control’ but still small

May 31, 2019 | 9:56 AM

KAMLOOPS — A series of fires that popped up Thursday on the north side of Kamloops Lake are classified ‘out of control’ by the B.C. Wildfire Service.

However, Fire Information Officer Hannah Swift says two of the three fires are not posing a risk as of Friday morning.

WATCH: A fire burns north of Kamloops Lake, May 30 (Video Credit: Contributed / Crissy Felker)

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“We do have personnel en route and once they’re on site today, we will have a better idea of the status and the size of those fires,” said Swift. “As of last night, there were two that were just spot-sized, of no concern, and there was one larger one. We are sending six personnel [to the larger fire].”

Swift notes all three are believed to have been caused by lightning cells that moved through the area earlier this week.

“We did have some lightning systems roll through and there could be more fires being held over by the rain that they might have received,” said Swift. “They are popping up across the fire centre.”

WATCH: A bomber drops retardant on a fire north of Kamloops Lake, May 30 (Video Credit: Contributed / Crissy Felker)

Those cells might not be finished causing trouble just yet. Swift notes occasionally lightning can spark small fires that don’t get noticed for several days.

“There is always potential for that when a lightning cell rolls through, especially when it’s a little bit green out there after we did receive some rain the past week,” said Swift. “But we are prepared for this weekend with lots of resources and crews ready to roll to those fires as they come in.”

“If the public does see any sign of fire, whether there are people on it or not, we do encourage people to call in at *5555 and report the wildfire right away.”

Fire danger ratings range from moderate to extreme throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre region. Environment Canada is calling for sunny and hot weather through the weekend until Monday, when temperatures will moderate into the mid-20s.