More than two dozen new wildfires were sparked overnight after dry lightning moved through the north eastern part of the Cariboo region July 9.
Twenty-eight new wildfires have been picked up by the Cariboo Fire Centre and many show on their wildfire map as out of control spot fires in the area of Quesnel Lake and Bowron Lakes, east of Quesnel. Another fire is on the border with the Prince George Fire Centre and has been given a Prince George fire number.
Three of the fires are estimated to be larger than spot fires, two fires north east of Spanish Lake are estimated to be 50 hectares and 40 hectares. This area is north of the community of Likely. One fire north of Jack of Clubs Lake and the community of Wells, was estimated as 0.1 hectare in size the morning of July 10.
The north east of the Cariboo is a challenging region to fight wildfires, as the area consists of large sections of dense interior rainforest on steep mountainous terrain.
Across the province, 46 new wildfires have started in the past 24 hours, according to the BC Wildfire Service website and there are currently 141 wildfires burning in the province.
So far this year, there have been 407 wildfires in B.C., 57 per cent of which are believed to have been human-caused.
Dry, hot conditions in the Cariboo over the past week have made forest fuels highly susceptible to wildfire and a campfire ban will be coming into effect across the province.
Black Press Media has reached out to Cariboo Fire Centre for an update on the fires in the region.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 (toll-free), *5555 on a cellphone or submit a report directly through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
