Thunderstorm brings 18 new wildfires

NEWS/ WILDFIRES — A thunderstorm tracking through the Kamloops Fire Centre on Saturday brought intense lightning and gusty winds — and 18 new lightning-caused wildfires.

The largest, about 20 kilometres south of Princeton, reached 24 hectares. Air tankers were unable to go into action due to poor weather.

A seven-hectare fire near hat Creek Ranch north of Cache Creek was contained.

Kamloops experienced some heavy rain but little thunder and lightning on Saturday. Thunderstorms with varying amounts or precipitation are forecast in the next few days but a return to warm and dry conditions is expected. The fire danger rating is still high to extreme across most of the fire centre.

The Puntzi Lake wildfire, one of the biggest and most dangerous in the province, had grown to 7,000 hectares by mid-afternoon Saturday and was continuing to exhibit aggressive behaviour. The Cariboo Regional District expanded its evacuation order and alert, and the fire perimeter was expanded.

More than a hundred firefighters are pitted against the fire, assisted by helicopters, heavy equipment and air tankers. A resort and three homes have been reported destroyed.