Aug 12, 10:00 a.m.: All but one of the four Witset-area fires sparked by lightning last Friday are under control or extinguished.

Another one, however, was discovered Aug. 11. It is tiny (0.009 hectares) and not considered to be a threat to people, property or infrastructure according to the BC Wildfire Service.

There are no evacuation alerts or orders associated with this fire.

Nevertheless, because of its proximity to Hwy 16, the wildfire service is currently responding with full suppression measures.

There is one other wildfire burning in the area. This one, northeast of Witset is listed as out of control at 1,100 hectares, but because it is in a remote area, the wildfire service has only mounted a modified response. 

"During a modified response, a wildfire is managed using a combination of techniques with the goal to minimize damage while maximizing ecological benefits from the fire," BC Wildfire says. "This response method is used when there is no immediate threat to values."

Aug 11, 12:00 p.m.: Three of four wildfires west of Witset are still active, but the one closest to the village is now under control according to the BC Wildfire Service. Two remain listed as out of control, but are still very small (0.009 hectares) and there are still no evacuation alerts or orders associated with these blazes. 

The fourth fire is completely out.

Original Story:

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to four new wildfires in and area west of Witset this morning (Aug. 10) suspected to be sparked by lightning overnight.

Crews and aviation resources are responding. While the fires are all currently small, accessing some of them is a challenge due to their remoteness.

Smoke will likely be visible from Highway 16 and the surrounding area.

All the fires are listed as out of control, but are only 0.009 hectares in size.

The wildfire service says it is mounting a full response to the fires. 

It says a full response is initiated when there "is a threat to public safety and/or property and other values, such as infrastructure or timber. During a full response, a wildfire is suppressed and controlled until it is deemed "out."

This typically involves the use of helicopters or planes and ground crews. 

There are currently no evacuation alerts or orders associated with these fires.