The spectacular lightning show on the afternoon of August 2 literally “hit a little too close to home”. A brilliant streak of lightning contacted the top of the mountain several kilometers east of Lac des Roches and ignited the forest. The immediate plume of smoke was obvious to a deck full of onlookers at a Boultbee Road residence, who immediately reported the incident to the BC Wildfire Management Branch at 1 800 663 5555. As of the morning of August 5, the small fire located at “Eakin Creek” is listed as “active”.
After years of observing and reporting lightning strikes in the hills around Lac des Roches, residents are reminded that the best information to give the wildfire operator is the estimated location of the fire as it relates to longitude and latitude. The skull cliff on the south hill across from the rest stop is approximately:
Latitude: 51 degrees & 29 minutes North
Longitude 120 degrees & 37 minutes West
An estimated distance and direction from this point is enough for the wildfire center to dispatch a spotter plane to the observed fire or smoke location. To view update to wildfires in the province, go to www.bcwildfire.ca.