About 35 Silverton area residents who live between Enterprise Creek and Red Mountain Road along Highway 6 (fire numbers 8479 to 9155) have been issued evacuation alert notices.
An approximately seven hectare fire is burning two kilometers south of the village and east of Highway 6, near Beaverton Creek and the base on Mt. Aylwin.
The BC Wildfire Service is attacking the blaze from the air and ground.
The evacuation alert was issued overnight.
It's just one of 44 new fires started by lightning in the Southeast Fire Centre. Others include
• A two hectare fire on 12 Mile Creek between Sandon and Kaslo;
• A 0.5 hectare fire on Mt. Loki, opposite Kaslo;
• A 0.4 hectare fire near Nemo Creek, two kilometers off the west shore of Slocan Lake;
• A 0.3 hectare fire on the north side of Cedar Creek, near Ainsworth;
• A 0.15 hectare fire on Springer Creek, near Slocan;
• A 0.1 hectare fire in West Arm Park;
• Spot fires at Lendrum Creek and Loon Lake, near Ainsworth; the north and south sides of Coffee Creek; in the Six Mile drainage; and at Procter.
You can see these fires on a map here: http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/dmf-viewer/?siteid=5131184402955244847
"During times of increased activity, the BC Wildfire Service prioritizes fires and wildlife suppression response," the Southeast Fire Centre said. "If fires are not posing an immediate threat to residences we may make resources available for higher priority incidents. The primary objectives of the BC Wildlife Service are the safety of our crews, along with protecting life and property."
More thunderstorms are expected through the weekend with spotty showers.