File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).
Wildfire Watch

No new wildfires reported in Kamloops Fire Centre after 600+ lightning strikes Thursday

Jun 13, 2025 | 10:25 AM

UPDATE (11:45 a.m.): The BC Wildfire Service says the fire near Cache Creek is being held at 5.63 hectares.

EARLIER: CACHE CREEK, B.C. — The BC Wildfire Service estimates there were 622 lightning strikes recorded throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre during Thursday (June 12) night’s thunderstorm.

As of Friday morning, no new fire starts have been reported following the lightning strikes.

“[Lightning] can strike, and we won’t actually see or know of a wildfire for even a couple of days afterwards just because it can smolder in the ground,” said Cali Nessman, BC Wildfire Service information officer.

Meantime, crews continue to battle a wildfire on a hilltop in the Arrowstone Hills near Cache Creek, just north of the Trans Canada Highway. Nessman says two initial attack crews are responding to the 5.63-hectare fire. While the fire is still listed as out of control, Nessman says crews will be focused on mop-up duty and extinguishing hot spots.

As of publication, the wildfire service says there are 98 active wildfires burning in the province. Of them, six are in the Kamloops Fire Centre, with three listed as out of control.

When reporting a wildfire, residents are asked to call *5555 on a cellphone and take a picture of the fire and submit it through the BC Wildfire Service’s mobile app.