Prince George, B.C.- The  thunderstorm that rolled across the Prince George Fire Centre late yesterday, is being blamed for  15 new wildfires.All  started yesterday, all were started by lightning and all are burning in the northern  region of the Fire Centre.

Yesterday’s new fire starts brings to 29 the number of new  fires  the Prince George Fire Centre has responded to since Tuesday and all of them were caused by lightning. The largest of these fires is in the Fort Nelson Fire Zone and covers 200 hectares. No structures are threatened at this time.

These new fires are currently being assessed and prioritized. Many of them are in remote areas and access by ground is limited. Firefighting crews, helicopters and airtankers responded to multiple fires yesterday and will continue fire suppression activities today.

This is going to be a very hot weekend,  and with forest and grass fuels throughout the Prince George Fire Centre being very dry,  the fire risk is serious.  The Wildfire Management Branch is urging members of the public to
use extreme caution when they’re in the backcountry.