(Vancouver) A spokeswoman for the BC Wildfire Service said 80% of the 212 new fires that have broken out in the province since Wednesday were caused by lightning.
Posted at 9:59 p.m.
Briana Hill says the Service was well prepared and that 69% of all those caused by lightning are now classified as extinguished, under control or in sustainment.
The Service says in a statement that this is not unusual, as August is usually an active month for lightning in the province, just after July.
Mme Hill argues that what is somewhat unusual is four consecutive days with widespread lightning.
She also notes that while officials feared the wind would cause the fires to spread rapidly and unpredictably throughout the weekend, the department was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t have a significant impact.
She says the Service is now forecasting warmer temperatures and less convection, which means lightning activity should be much less over the coming week.