FORT ST. JOHN -- Severe lightening storms and erratic winds have led to an increase in wildfires across the Peace Region.

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), a majority of the 20,000 lightening strikes recorded have occurred in the North.

Those lightning strikes are hampering response efforts as a severe thunderstorm watch issued by Environment Canada remains in place for the Prince George Fire Centre.

There are currently 153 wildfires burning across the region with 70 currently burning out of control, according to the latest information from the BCWS, including a rapidly growing blaze near Cowmoose Mountain.

The fire is burning out on control approximately 33 kilometres from the centre of Tumbler Ridge east of the Bullmoose Creek.

The BCWS says the blaze discovered July 22nd, 2024, and has grown to 100 hectares in size.

The fire currently poses no immediate threat to structures with the service taking a modified response to fight it. A lightening strike is suspected to be the cause.

Another 150 hectare wildfire burning along the Alberta border, approximately 11 kilometres north of North Boundary Lake, is also burning out of control.

The BCWS says a modified response is being taken to fight the fire sparked by a lightening strike.

The BCWS describes a modified response as a wildfire “managed using a combination of techniques with the goal to minimize costs and damage while maximizing ecological benefits from the fire.” The response is put in place when a fire poses no immediate threat to structures or citizens.

There are currently 977 firefighters, five incident management teams, 178 aviation supports, 57 pieces of heavy equipment, and 138 structure protection personnel assigned to fight the fires across the province.

*This is a developing story, CJDC-TV will continue to provide updates on new wildfire starts.