A pair of wildfires are under control close to Vernon.
On Thursday just before 1 p.m., a blaze was found in North Vernon at Grey Canal Trails. Because the blaze is under control, it will not spread any further. On BC Wildfire Service’s website, it states the fire is zero hectares in size, meaning the blaze was smaller than 0.1 hectares.
This wildfire was human-caused.
The second fire was found before 6 p.m. on Thursday evening north of Lumby. It is also under control and was less than 0.1 hectares in size. The cause of the blaze is still undetermined, according to BC Wildfire Service.
Scattered thunderstorms hit the Central and Southern Okanagan on Thursday night. Despite rain from the storms, the recent hot weather and lightning can cause wildfires while high winds can spread the blaze.
The Okanagan isn’t expecting any thunderstorms on Friday but there is a 60 per cent for them on Saturday afternoon (May 20). According to Environment Canada, many regions of the Interior and the Okanagan will be impacted by smoke in the next 24-48 hours. Because of that, a special air quality statement is in effect. On top of air quality, visibility will also be reduced because of the smoke.
With a shift in weather patterns, smoke conditions should begin to slowly improve throughout the day on Friday.
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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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