Lightning strikes cause 34 wildfires in Okanagan and Similkameen regions

by Charlie Smith on July 19th, 2018 at 6:38 AM

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Highway 97 is now open to single-lane alternating traffic near Peachland after wildfires shut down the main road last night linking the community with Summerland.

An evacuation order was issued for 34 properties in the District of Summerland.

The Mount Eneas wildfire was 200 hectares, or about half the size of Stanley Park, at the last report at 9:47 p.m. on July 18.

It's four kilometres southwest of Peachland and is believed to be caused by lightning.

Another fire at Good Creek is five kilometres east of Peachland and was also 200 hectares last night.

The Mount Conkle wildfire was 50 hectares as of 9:48 p.m. on July 18.

It was burning near Shingle Creek Road about eight kilometres southwest of Summerland and has also been linked to lightning.

"It's been a challenging 24 hours for the Kamloops Fire Centre, with over a thousand lightning strikes resulting in approximately 34 new fire starts, many throughout the Okanagan and Similkameen region," the B.C. Wildfire Service stated.

Below, you can see some images that are being passed around on social media.