A smoky sky bulletin by Environment Canada is in place for South Okanagan and Fraser Canyon. Howard Alexander - News Editor

UPDATE: Lightning starts multiple wildfires in Okanagan, Similkameen

Fire crews around the Okanagan and Similkameen are responding to dozens of fires and wildfires caused by a lightning strikes earlier this evening.

B.C. Wildfire Service reports ground crews, helicopters and air tankers are responding to 13 new wildfires in the North, Central and South Okanagan and Simikameen this evening, July 17, assisted in some spots by municipal fire crews. 

At this time there are no known threats to structures, Wildfire says.

New fires have been reported in McCulloch Mountain area south of Joe Rich and in the Keremeos/Ashnola area. We can confirm fires burning near Glenrosa and Smith Creek in West Kelowna and others near Naramata and Summerland. Others are reporting fires near Big White and another near Keremeos.

The thunderstorm moved north to Vernon around 8:30 p.m. and started more fires, including one in East Hill and another in the BX area. Again, none of the fires appear to be threatening structures.

The storm produced plenty of lightning and thunder, but little rain.

The District of Summerland says in a tweet a lightning strike set off a large fire which is currently burning on Penticton Indian Band land. It's being fought by band firefighters as well as B.C. Wildfire crews. The district says the fire poses no threat to Summerland at this time. Changing conditions will be posted to the District website here.

B.C. Wildfire says it is currently experiencing a high volume of calls due to all the lightning strikes in the province this evening. If you see new wildfire activity that you suspect has not yet been reported, please dial *5555 or 1-800-663-5555. Wildfire asks for your patience in the case of delays getting through.

We will provide updates as they become available.

The wildfire in the Naramata area as seen from Penticton, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Shelby Thevenot

Smoke can be seen rising north of Penticton, through the smoke haze already forming, from a wildfire above Naramata, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Steve Arstad

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Marshall Jones

Marshall Jones

News is best when it's local, relevant, timely and interesting. That's our focus every day.

We are on the ground in Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops to bring you the stories that matter most.

Marshall may call West Kelowna home, but after 16 years in local news and 14 in the Okanagan, he knows better than to tell readers in other communities what is "news' to them. He relies on resident reporters to reflect their own community priorities and needs. As the newsroom leader, his job is making those reporters better, ensuring accuracy, fairness and meeting the highest standards of journalism.

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