File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Wildfire Starts

Lightning sparks small fires near Merritt, Spences Bridge

Jul 14, 2024 | 5:06 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — Lightning that passed through the Thompson-Nicola region last week has ignited a series of new wildfires, including small blazes near Merritt and Spences Bridge.

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service website, the two-hectare Upper Jesse Creek fire was discovered Sunday (July 14) just north of Merritt.

To the northwest, a handful of new fires have been discovered in the area bounded by Lillooet, Ashcroft and Spences Bridge.

The largest is a four-hectare blaze located about 5.5 kilometres north of Spences Bridge.

All of these fires were discovered in the past three days, suspected to be caused by lightning and currently listed as out of control.

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As of late Sunday afternoon, there were no emergency alerts or evacuation orders associated with the fires.

The fire danger rating is high to extreme in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre.