Due to a fire on the Paulson Pass, Highway 3 is now closed to traffic between Christina Lake and Highway 3B until further notice.

The BC Wildfire Service has been responding to 88 new wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre since Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. A total of 499 wildfires have occurred in the region since April 1, 2015.

The Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 46 new fires since Thursday, almost all of which are believed to be lightning-caused.

Smoke from the Sitkum Creek wildfire on the north shore of Kootenay Lake will continue to be visible in nearby areas, as combustible material within the fire’s perimeter continues to burn.

Much of the smoke that’s currently visible in parts of the Southeast Fire Centre is not coming from wildfires in B.C., but instead emanating from fires in Oregon, California and Washington.

Parts of southeast British Columbia have received varying amounts of rainfall over the past week, but the campfire ban that’s been in place since July 3 throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified.

An Area Restriction Order that was implemented for the Sitkum Creek wildfire on July 9, 2015, has been rescinded, effective immediately. This fire is now 90% contained.

Recent thunderstorms have kept BC Wildfire Service crews busy fighting dozens of new fires in the Southeast Fire Centre. Crews have responded to 52 new fires since Monday, 50 of which were caused by lightning.

The large column of smoke visible from Nelson and surrounding areas this afternoon is the result of successful burn out operations on the Sitkum Creek wildfire.

People living in Nelson and surrounding areas will notice increased smoke on the Sitkum Creek Wildfire as a result of another proactive burn out operation.