WATCH: With drought-like conditions across most of the province, lightning has sparked numerous wildfires. On Monday, some places in B.C’s southern interior experienced violent storms bringing heavy wind, rain and hail.
A severe thunderstorm brought massive lightning strikes to B.C.’s southern interior Monday night.
Lightning strikes were reported in Kamloops, Rossland, Trail, East Barriere Lake, and other locations.
PHOTOS: Lightning strikes in B.C.
It’s unclear how many new fires have been sparked by the latest lightning, but earlier in the day officials said 85 new wildfires had been started since last Thursday, 62 of those since the weekend with 50 caused by lightning. In total, 122 fires are burning across B.C.
READ MORE: Full fire coverage in B.C.
Lightning started the enormous Mount Bigfoot fire, which has spread across more than four square kilometres near Fort Nelson.
WATCH: Raw video of Mount Bigfoot fire
Thunderstorm warnings were in effect for Nicola, Okanagan Valley, West Kootenay, Kootenay Lake, and Arrow Lakes-Slocan Lake.
While the storms brought some rain, conditions are still very dry in much of the province and the risk of wildfire remains high. More thunderstorms are in the forecast followed by a return to hot weather.
-with files from Catherine Urquhart
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