BC Wildfire Service crews will be conducting a 54-hectare ecosystem restoration burn about 15 kilometres northwest of Deer Park (near Sunshine Creek) between Sept. 13 and Sept. 30, depending on weather and site conditions.

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Sept. 9, 2016, Category 2 open fires will once again be permitted in the Columbia, Arrow and Kootenay Lake fire zones of the Southeast Fire Centre, due to a decreased risk of wildfire in those areas.

BC Wildfire Service firefighters have made good progress on many of the lightning-caused wildfires that started in the Southeast Fire Centre over the past week.

BC Wildfire Service firefighters are currently responding to numerous lightning-caused wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, within the Arrow Fire Zone and Kootenay Lake Fire Zone.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations will be conducting a series of controlled burns in the Southeast Fire Centre to enhance wildlife habitat. These burns will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and Thursday Sept. 1, 2016.

Most of the smoke that’s been visible in parts of the Southeast Fire Centre is coming from several wildfires in Washington State, particularly one near Deep Lake in Stevens County.

The BC Wildfire Service is monitoring a 40-hectare wildfire burning in Granby Provincial Park. Depending on wind direction, drifting smoke from this fire may be visible in the Lower Arrow Lake region, Castlegar and surrounding communities.

BC Wildfire Service radio communications equipment was deliberately vandalized sometime between July 29 and Aug. 2, 2016, putting the safety of firefighting personnel at risk.

The smoke that’s currently visible in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre is originating from several wildfires burning in Idaho and Washington State.

The BC Wildfire Service responded to 32 abandoned campfires over the B.C. Day long weekend in the Southeast Fire Centre. The public is being urged to be more careful with fire use to help reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.