As a result of work by firefighting crews and recent rainfall, most of the wildfires that make up the Syringa Complex in the Southeast Fire Centre are now classified as “being held.”

Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, campfires will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, due to decreased wildfire risks in the region.

The BC Wildfire Service reminds the public that they must stay clear of firefighting aircraft collecting water from Lower Arrow Lake and Upper Arrow Lake, in response to the Syringa Complex wildfires burning about 17 kilometres northwest of Castlegar.

Weather permitting, the BC Wildfire Service will conduct planned ignitions on the Bulldog Mountain wildfire, located about 30 kilometres west of Castlegar.

Between July 19 and Aug. 19, 2018, there were 324 new wildfire starts in the Southeast Fire Centre, 90% of which were caused by lightning.

Weather permitting, the BC Wildfire Service will be conducting planned ignitions on the Meachen Creek wildfire located within the Meachen Creek drainage, approximately 10 kilometres southwest of St. Mary Lake in the Southeast Fire Centre.

There are currently several road closures and area restrictions in effect within the Southeast Fire Centre to help ensure the safety of the public and firefighting personnel and to avoid interference with fire-control activities.

There have been 87 new wildfire starts in the Southeast Fire Centre since Aug. 11, 2018, 49 of which are in the Boundary, Arrow and Kootenay Lake fire zones.

There have been 85 new wildfire starts in the Southeast Fire Centre since Aug. 11, 2018, 16 of which are in the Invermere Fire Zone and Cranbrook Fire Zone.

Since Aug. 11, 2018, there have been 81 new wildfire starts in the Southeast Fire Centre, 19 of which are in the Columbia Fire Zone.