With a forest fire now under control 45 kilometres south of Merritt, the Kamloops Fire Centre is keeping a close eye on the region as high winds and dry lightning are forecasted for the area.

"That's what's on our radar right now is just seeing how bad these winds get," said fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek.

A fire that ignited Sunday evening and swept through 20 hectares of forestland along Spius Forest Service Road south of Merritt is now more than 90 per cent contained, said Skrepnek.

Crews are also still mopping up a 43-hectare fire at Stump Lake and another 30-hectare blaze between Lillooet and Lytton.

"They've set up a grid where the fire is and digging into root systems to make sure it's fully out," said Skrepnek.

As gusts across the region reach an anticipated 50 km/hr accompanied by dry lightning, firefighters are poised to take action.

"If lightning was to strike when he had high winds, and the lightning was relatively dry, that's the concern that we have."

Meanwhile, a thick haze hanging over Kamloops and most of B.C. attributed to fires from as far away as Siberia and Northern California is expected to dissipate today with the changing weather pattern.

Anyone spotting a wildfire or smoke is asked to report the sighting by calling 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cellphone.