Firefighters monitoring Strawberry Hill blaze overnight after significant flare-ups Saturday

UPDATE: 11:46 p.m.

Firefighters say they are aware of the flare-up of wildfire Saturday on Strawberry Hill, and they will be monitoring the scene overnight.

Residents in Batchelor Heights and Westsyde began to notice smoke and flames on the hillside at about 9 p.m., according to reports emailed to Castanet.

“KFR [Kamloops Fire Rescue] is aware of the fire on Strawberry Hill and will have equipment on Highway 5 monitoring overnight until it can be actioned in the morning when it is safe for BCWS [BC Wildfire Service] crews,” the City of Kamloops said in a tweet late Saturday night.

Strawberry Hill was hit hard by lightning in a thunderstorm on Thursday, resulting in a number of fires.

Castanet Kamloops has asked the BC Wildfire Service for information about the flare-up.

This story will be updated if more information becomes known.

ORIGINAL STORY: 10:39 p.m.

A wildfire on Strawberry Hill appears to be flaring up.

A Castanet reader submitted a video of the hillside, showing flames and smoke coming from the site.

Social media posts indicate smoke has been visible in parts of Kamloops since about 9 p.m. on Saturday.

According to the BC Wildfire Service website, a pair of fires on Strawberry Hill — one located east of Highway 5 and the other closer to Dome Hill — are considered to be under control.

Castanet Kamloops has reached out to BC Wildfire Service, and will update this article once more information is known.