Mixed blessing as rain accompanies lightning storm in B.C. wildfire region

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Eighteen new wildfires have been sparked across British Columbia — with most of them caused by lightning strikes in southeastern regions.

Chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek says some rain accompanied the lightning storm that has swept across the area since late Tuesday, helping to reduce the danger.

He says scattered rain is also expected in the regionover the next two days.

Crews will monitor the situation on a daily basis to see how the higher humidity affects drought conditions.

Skrepnek says 150 wildfires are currently burning around B.C.

The most serious blaze is the six-square-kilometre Wood Lake wildfire near Harrison Hot Springs at the eastern end of the Fraser Valley. (CHNL)