Wildfire count creeps up in last 24 hours, reaching 139 as of Wednesday

The B.C. Wildfire service is warning of a huge spike in wildfires in the province over the past twenty-four hours as 44 new fires have been reported.

On Tuesday, there were 97 wildfires in the province however tinder-dry conditions and  fluctuating weather patterns spawning the possibility of dry-lightning in many parts of the province particularly in the north, the fires grew to 139 by 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Meanwhile here in the Kamloops Fire Centre another small wildfire has been discovered.

Late Tuesday, a 1.8 hectare wildfire was reported 2 km south of Dickey Creek near Lillooet.

BC Wildfire service says the fire is being held and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

The other three wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre remain under control. The Truax Wildfire remains at 205-hectares while the 157-hectares Tiffin Creek wildfire outside Lillooet remain under control as is the small 0.24 hectares Sigalet Lake wildfire east of Coldstream.

Of the more than 139 wildfires reported in the province, 65 percent are believed to be caused by lightning strikes.