BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews and aircraft were kept busy in the Cariboo Fire Centre region after lightning fell in a number of parts of the region Aug. 9-11.
This means the public should continue to watch for and report wildfires.
There were 716 lightning strikes recorded in the Cariboo Fire Centre over the three days, resulting in 16 new wildfires so far within the region.
Quick action by crews and aircraft has already resulted in 11 of those being called out as of 1:15 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12, but more are expected to surface over the coming days and weeks.
Lightning, frequently accompanied by precipitation, can ignite forest fuels but may not immediately grow into a wildfire.
The smouldering fuels from the initial lightning strike can simmer underground or along the surface underneath forest canopy, slowed in growing by the initial rainfall or lower temperatures as the low-pressure system moves through.
As fuels dry and temperatures increase, it can then ignite more surface fuels and spread, sparking what is then called a holdover fire.
Over the coming days and weeks, BC Wildfire Service is expecting the province may continue to see holdover fires show up as a result of this recent thunderstorm activity paired with hot and dry conditions.
Thunderstorm activity is anticipated to continue through the early part of this week across parts of the province.
If you see smoke or signs of a wildfire, you can report it by dialing *5555 on your cellphone or 1-800-663-5555.
You can also report a wildfire using the "report a wildfire" function on the BC Wildfire mobile app, which allows you to include an image of what you are seeing in your report. To see which fires are already reported, you can check the BC Wildfire Service mobile app if in service. The app is available for both android and Apple devices.
A clear photo and location information obtained from a cell phone or other device can also assist greatly in helping BCWS assess and locate fires.
All categories of open fires are currently banned across the province of B.C., where 409 wildfires are currently listed as active.
Within the last seven days, 311 wildfires have been called out.
