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Lightning Sparks 60 New Wildfires; Homes, Resort Burnt Near Puntzi Lake

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Jul, 2015 12:27 PM

VANCOUVER — Lightning has sparked about 60 new wildfires in British Columbia during a season where fire fighting resources are already stretched thin.

Fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek says about 60 of the 67 new fires that started on Friday were caused by lightning, and most are located in the eastern part of the province.

Skrepnek says that Friday saw the highest number of fires started in one day so far this season, where 1,025 wildfires have burned since April 1.

Currently 238 fires are burning across the province, and about 2,300 people, including crews from Ontario, are involved in battling the blazes.

Cariboo Regional District spokeswoman Shelly Burich says a fire near Puntzi Lake in B.C.'s central interior has destroyed structures on four properties, including a resort, two permanent homes, one seasonal home and multiple out buildings.

The Puntzi Lake fire has grown to about 70 square kilometres, forced residents from 90 properties from their homes, and affected about 300 residents of the Tsi Del Del First Nation.

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