The BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public that the operation of off-road vehicles (ORVs) and all motorcycles for recreational purposes on Crown land continues to be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

A lightning-caused fire is burning about 1.5 kilometres south of the Canada-U.S. border and about 18 kilometres southwest of the community of Newgate (about 65 kilometres southeast of Cranbrook).

For reasons of public safety, the BC Wildfire Service is implementing additional road closures around the White River Complex wildfire, which is burning about 47 kilometres northeast of Canal Flats in the Southeast Fire Centre.

The recent growth of two wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre has prompted the Columbia Shuswap Regional District to issue two evacuation alerts — one for the Galena Bay area and another for Heather Lodge and the surrounding area.

The BC Wildfire Service has implemented three forest service road closures in the Southeast Fire Centre to help protect public safety and aid in wildfire suppression activities.

Current weather conditions in the Southeast Fire Centre are having an impact on wildfires in the region. Increased wind activity caused the size of several fires to grow on Sunday, July 30, 2017.

BC Wildfire Service personnel have been responding to 31 active wildfires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. Although some of these wildfires are visible from surrounding communities, none are immediately threatening communities or structures.

BC Wildfire Service personnel are currently responding to 25 lightning-caused wildfires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. Although some of these fires are highly visible from surrounding communities, none of them are immediately threatening communities or structures.

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Monday, July 3, 2017, Category 2 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

The BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public that a Category 3 fire prohibition is in place throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. As weather conditions get drier and hotter, people are urged to use extreme caution while conducting any outdoor burning activities.