Effective at 1 p.m. (Pacific time) on Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, Category 2 open fires will be permitted within the Columbia and Invermere Fire Zones of the Southeast Fire Centre due to a decreased risk of wildfires.

Sustained and persistent work by firefighters, cooler temperatures and significant precipitation have reduced wildfire activity in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre.

The public access restriction that was in place for the Gladstone Forest Service Road has been rescinded effective immediately, since the wildfire burning in the Lynch Creek/Gladstone Provincial Park region is now 100% contained.

Effective immediately, the BC Wildfire Service is rescinding the public access restriction around the Big Sheep Creek wildfire west of Rossland, and specifically the Seven Summits Trail.

The public access restriction for the Caven, Wickman, Larch, Bloom and Teepee/Jim Creek Forest Service roads has been rescinded, effective immediately.

Effective at noon on Monday, Aug. 31, campfires are once again permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

The Southeast Fire Centre is asking hunters to stay away from areas with active wildfires. Hunting season begins on Sept. 1, and hunting in the vicinity of a wildfire could put the safety of firefighters at risk.

BC Wildfire Service representatives and Regional District of Kootenay Boundary officials will host two public meetings tonight to update residents of Grand Fork and Christina Lake about the Stickpin wildfire in Washington State.

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