VANCOUVER ISLAND

Lightning storms spark 60 new fires across B.C. over 24 hour period

The Canadian Press Published Monday, July 20, 2015 10:47AM PDT Last Updated Monday, July 20, 2015 2:40PM PDT

Boaters have also been asked to keep clear of the area off the shores of Bear Creek park so air tankers and helicopters can safely pick up water (Castanet).

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KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Lightning has become the enemy in the ongoing fire fighting effort in British Columbia.

Provincial Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek says in the last 24 hours, 60 fires have started across B.C. and almost all of those have been sparked by lightning.

He says some of those storms did bring some rain, but others simply brought dry lightning.

Skrepnek says even more lightning-caused fires are expected with thunderstorms forecast to sweep across many areas of the province.

There have been almost 1,200 wildfires this season in B.C. and there are currently 216 burning, 15 of which are considered major fires.

Evacuation alerts or orders are in place for residents near five fires, including an alert for residents near Kelowna in the Bear Creek area.