Over 19,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes record in BC from Friday through Sunday

There was plenty of electricity across British Columbia over the past three days.

According to BC Wildfire Service meteorologist Matt MacDonald, there were 19,065 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes recorded throughout the province this weekend.

That data includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday until around 7 pm, when MacDonald collected the data.

Wowza, quite the weekend w/ 19,065 cloud to ground lightning strikes recorded in BC Fri-Sun!

Given the drought & dry forests, there were 86 new fires on Sunday alone. With no significant precip in sight, things will likely get worse before they get better.#BCwildfire #BCstorm pic.twitter.com/BZ7IBUTRne

— Matt MacDonald (@meteo_matt) July 10, 2023

“Given the drought and dry forests, there were 86 new fires on Sunday alone,” he said. “With no significant precipitation in sight, things will likely get worse before they get better.”

One of those new starts on Sunday was the Texas Creek wildfire, which was discovered around 27 kilometres south of Lillooet at 3:10 pm.

Within an hour, the suspected lightning-caused wildfire quickly grew to 60 hectares in size and the BCWS says it is burning in steep, remote terrain.

“Due to terrain and fire behaviour, direct attack methods are not currently suitable for this incident,” the BCWS explained. “The BCWS will continue to work with local First Nations and authorities to closely monitor this incident.”

As of Monday morning, there are 310 active wildfires burning across BC.