4,000 Lightning Strikes Trigger Wildfire Surge in British Columbia

British Columbia’s wildfire season has taken a sudden and dangerous turn after thousands of lightning strikes ignited dozens of new fires, pushing the number of active wildfires across the province above 100.

The BC Wildfire Service said approximately 4,000 lightning strikes were recorded on Wednesday, with officials believing the overwhelming majority of the newly discovered fires were caused by lightning amid dry conditions, high temperatures and strong winds.

The province was dealing with only about 20 active wildfires on Wednesday morning, but that number had risen to approximately 114 by Saturday afternoon. Around 72 fires were reported during the previous 24 hours, bringing an abrupt end to the relatively quiet start to the wildfire season.

Officials said nearly two-thirds of the active fires remained classified as out of control, while most of the new incidents, evacuation orders and evacuation alerts were concentrated in British Columbia’s southern Interior.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District ordered the evacuation of 131 properties near Big Bar Lake and Meadow Lake because of the rapidly spreading Fiftynine Creek wildfire.

The fire expanded quickly under strong winds and reached an estimated area of approximately 40 square kilometres only hours after it was discovered on Friday.

Additional evacuation orders and alerts were issued in the Cariboo region, while some areas near Pemberton remained under evacuation alert.

Lower temperatures, increased humidity and weaker winds temporarily helped reduce activity at the Signal Hill wildfire, but officials warned that conditions could change rapidly.

The latest figures showed approximately 575 properties across British Columbia were under evacuation orders, while around 1,740 properties were under evacuation alerts and residents were advised to be prepared to leave at short notice.

Nearly 399 people were also receiving emergency support services.

British Columbia Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the province had deployed more than 770 specialized wildfire firefighters by Friday, with hundreds of additional personnel available if required.

The BC Wildfire Service warned that further thunderstorms could produce additional lightning strikes and ignite more fires over the coming days, particularly as warm and dry conditions continue across large parts of the province.