With hot and dry conditions continuing in the East Kootenay region, the BC Wildfire Service is anticipating an increase in new wildfire activity and is monitoring growth on existing fires in the region today.

In the interest of public safety, effective at noon Pacific Time on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, all Crown land within the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District is closed to public access due to the extreme fire danger rating, the number of unprecedented aggressive wildfires throughout the region and moderate winds forecasted over the next few days.

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.

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.

Due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures — and in consultation with the BC Wildfire Service — BC Parks reopened portions of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park for public use on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017.

The BC Wildfire Service is reminding members of the public that they must stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are collecting water from lakes and other bodies of water.

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.