Small lightning-caused blaze north of Vernon brought under control and later extinguished
The BC Wildfire Service says a tiny lightning-caused wildfire northeast of Vernon in the Kedleston Creek area has been extinguished after crews responded over the weekend. The fire, discovered Sunday evening on Crown land bordering the Township of Spallumcheen, measured about 0.009 hectares and did not threaten populated areas.
The Township of Spallumcheen alerted residents Monday that the incident was outside its municipal boundary and that provincial crews were onsite.
“BC Wildfire Service was alerted and has been onsite actioning the matter located on Crown Land just outside the township’s boundary,”
the township corporate officer, Cindy Webb, said in the release issued Monday, Aug. 24. The township said it would only issue further updates if conditions changed.
BC Wildfire Service classification and public updates tracked the fire through the night. At 7:47 p.m. on Sunday the fire was recorded at 0.009 hectares and described as lightning-caused. Throughout the overnight and morning checks the blaze was listed as under control — a BCWS designation meaning the wildfire was not expected to spread beyond its current perimeter. By 5:43 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, BCWS reported the blaze had been extinguished and would not spread.
What happened and why it mattered locally
Although very small in size, the incident drew attention because it occurred during a summer season when lightning is a common ignition source and agencies remain vigilant. The fire’s location on Crown land, just beyond the township border, put responsibility for suppression with the BC Wildfire Service while the township kept residents informed as a neighbouring jurisdiction.
- Ignition: Lightning strike discovered Sunday evening, Aug. 23.
- Size: Approximately 0.009 hectares throughout the incident.
- Status: Listed as under control overnight and declared extinguished by Aug. 24.
There were no area restrictions in place near the incident while it was being monitored, and the township emphasised that further updates would be issued only if the situation changed.
Timeline at a glance
| When | Action / status |
|---|---|
| Sunday evening, Aug. 23 | Lightning-caused fire discovered; BC Wildfire Service alerted (size 0.009 ha) |
| Overnight / early Aug. 24 | Fire listed as under control; no change in size |
| Aug. 24 (afternoon) | Township of Spallumcheen issues release noting BCWS onsite |
| Aug. 24, 5:43 p.m. | BC Wildfire Service reports the Kedleston Creek wildfire extinguished |
For local residents, the incident is a reminder of how quickly lightning can produce spot fires even when they remain very small, and how coordination between provincial wildfire crews and municipal governments operates when incidents occur on Crown land adjacent to municipal boundaries.
Officials have not indicated any injuries, property loss or need for evacuations related to this blaze. The BC Wildfire Service continues to monitor conditions provincially during the fire season and issues area restrictions when necessary.
