Lightning possibility over North Thompson and Cariboo areas creates concern for the BC Wildfire Service

KAMLOOPS — The BC Wildfire Service is keeping a close on the weather as the first weekend of June arrives. There are just five fires burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre and 52 burning across the province.

However forecasters warn the situation could change quickly. As an upper ridge builds over the prairie provinces, the risk of lightning is increasing on the eastern side of the province. The lightning could form over the North Thompson and Cariboo areas.

According to BC Wildfire Service statistics, lightning strikes have been behind about 25 per cent of the 332 fires in B.C. this year.

The Cariboo Fire Centre recently sent out an advisory asking residents to be extra careful with any fires in the region because of strong winds that will be blowing through. It has even asked those who had conducted previous slash burns, to check for any hot spots. Unless fully extinguished, those hot spots could flare up in gusty conditions.