Eight wildfires are burning out of control in the Pemberton-Whistler area and all of them were sparked by lightning.
The two largest fires are the Rutherford Creek and Birkenhead wildfires while the other six are one hectare or less in size.
The Rutherford Creek wildfire is mapped at six hectares and is burning on the hillside to the west of Highway 99. This wildfire was started on Aug. 6.
The Birkenhead wildfire is 50 hectares in size and was ignited on Aug. 5. This fire is burning just north of Pemberton near Birkenhead Lake, two kilometres north of Sockeye Creek.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), a lightning event on the evening of Aug. 5 started several new starts in the Pemberton zone.
Fire information officer at BCWS Kimberly Kelly says the Rutherford Creek wildfire is the fire closest to a community, but it's still eight kilometres away.
“There are no values threatened at this time,” she says.
Two helicopters, an initial attack crew and a Salish Unit Crew of 18 people are working at the Rutherford Creek wildfire.
The Birkenhead wildfire is in very steep terrain and a water skimmer, two helicopters, an initial attack crew and four other crews are at the fire.
“There's a significant number of resources actioning that fire,” says Kelly.
With the hot and dry conditions, BCWS expects additional fires may be discovered.
“With anticipated lightning in the forecast, we may see some new fire starts,” says Kelly. “We do want the public to be extremely cautious when recreating, follow all prohibitions and please report... any wildfires that you see."
As of 11 a.m. on Aug. 8, there are no evacuation orders or alerts in place for these out-of-control fires.
Blackcomb Helicopters is one of the companies involved in the fire fight.
“The local team spent yesterday responding to the Birkenhead and Rutherford fires with BC Wildfire Service,” the company said on Facebook Aug. 7.
A photograph shows a helicopter bucketing water onto a forested mountain, smouldering a fire.
The Rogers Creek and Birken Creek wildfires were started on Aug. 5; the Gaugin Creek, Allen Bui and Petersen Creek wildfires were all discovered on Aug. 6; and the Tenquille Creek wildfire was discovered on Aug. 7.
Upper Miller Ridge was discovered on Aug. 7 and is being held. Ure Creek and Rogers Creek 2 were spotted on Aug. 6 and are also being held. Two other fires that were sparked during the same events are now out.
Anyone who sees a wildfire is asked to contact BCWS immediately at 1-800-663-5555 or text *5555.
