Pair of fires sparked by lightning in 100 Mile House area

May 10, 2026 | 10:59 AM

100 MILE HOUSE — The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is responding to a pair of lightning-caused wildfires in the 100 Mile House area.

The largest fire, estimated at 50 hectares, is burning out of control in an area about 5 kilometres east of Chasm Road.

As of Sunday morning (May 10), the BCWS has assigned 24 personnel, helicopters and air tankers, and heavy equipment to fight the blaze.

Meantime, BCWS is also attacking a 15-hectare wildfire about 1.7 kilometres south of Jack Frost Lake.

The fire, which is currently out of control, has 19 personnel and aircraft crews working to contain the flames.

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Both fires were spotted Saturday (May 9), a few days after a thunderstorm swept across the region on Wednesday (May 6).

Most of the Cariboo region is currently rated ‘High Fire Danger’ with a few pockets of moderate and extreme danger.

“Fuel conditions across the Cariboo Fire Centre reflect a combination of last summer’s drought severity, winter precipitation and recent warm, dry conditions,” said the BCWS.

BCWS officials said lightning-caused fires do not always grow and spread right away.

“When lightning strikes, it may cause ignition but not immediately grow into a significant fire. A small amount of fire can remain underground or smoulder for several days, or even weeks, depending on fuel moisture,” said the BCWS.

“As the weather dries out and heats up, these hot spots can flare up to become full-fledged wildfires.”

by Elora McCormack

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Pair of fires sparked by lightning in 100 Mile House area

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