File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Wildfire Situation

Few new fire starts after lightning-filled weekend in Kamloops Fire Centre

Aug 5, 2025 | 3:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — Despite thousands of lightning strikes over the long weekend, new wildfire starts are few within the Kamloops Fire Centre.

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), scattered thunderstorm activity brought more than 2,000 lightning strikes to the region over the weekend.

Fire Information Officer Taylor Stewart Shantz says there were 11 lightning-caused fire starts over the same period, along with two human-caused fires and one with an undetermined origin.

Stewart-Shantz notes only one of those fires is classified as ‘out of control’ It is burning within Wells Gray Provincial Park and is receiving a modified response from firefighters, typical in protected areas such as parks. The remainder of the new starts are either extinguished or being held.

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Stewart-Shantz says allowing campfires with the Kamloops Fire Centre over the long weekend seemed to be a winning strategy.

“We didn’t receive too many phone calls into our information line asking about large bonfires or people who were bending the rules, so I think that’s a really good sign,” she told CFJC Today. “We did receive some calls from people just verifying there wasn’t a campfire ban, so I think in general, people are in tune and trying to abide by the rules while still enjoying recreating in the back country.”

The fire danger is moderate-to-high throughout the region.

The largest fire in the Kamloops Fire Centre remains the Cantilever Bar fire burning south of Lytton. On Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 5), the province announced that fire is being held.