Fire retardant drop in the Seymour Arm area (Image credit: Columbia Shuswap Regional District).

By Aaron Schulze

Shuswap Wildfires

Overnight lightning ignites new wildfires in the Shuswap

Jul 18, 2024 | 11:10 AM

SALMON ARM, B.C. — Multiple new wildfires have ignited in the east Shuswap.

In a news release issued Thursday (July 18) morning, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) notes there were many lightning strikes in the Shuswap overnight and more wildfire starts may emerge.

As of 11:00 a.m. Thursday, the BC Wildfire Service’s online map shows five new, out-of-control wildfires in the Shuswap, the most notable being a five-hectare fire at Mara Mountain south of Sicamous.

Other new fires include two spot fires near Mount Griffin, a spot fire at Queest Mountain north of Malakwa and a spot fire between Hunakwa Lake and Shuswap Lake south of Seymour Arm.

The cause of the fire near Seymour Arm is still under investigation, but the wildfire service says the other four are suspected to be caused by lightning.

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In response, the CSRD says the Shuswap Emergency Program (SEP) activated an emergency operations centre.