An area restriction order that's been in effect near fires burning in areas west of Elkford is being amended, effective immediately, to increase public access to those areas and reopen some forest service roads.

Open fires remain prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, despite recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.

An Area Restriction Order for areas near a group of fires east of Canal Flats has been rescinded effective immediately.

Effective at 4 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, Aug. 15, campfires once again will be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre's jurisdiction.

Wildfire Management Branch personnel will be conducting a controlled burn on Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, (weather permitting) to help contain the Slocan Park wildfire.

People living in the communities of Cranbrook, Fernie, Elkford, Sparwood, Fort Steele and Kimberley may notice a large column of smoke in the air as a result of proactive burning starting on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, around a lightning-caused wildfire 8 kilometres north of Fisher Peak.

A new Area Restriction Order is in effect immediately around wildfires near Canal Flats to protect the safety of firefighting personnel and the public.

In the past week, the Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 84 new lightning-caused fires. The vast majority of these fires have been small, and many are already contained.

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, campfires will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

People living in the communities of Grand Forks, Rock Creek and Midway may notice heavy smoke in the air as a result of a wildfire burning on Toroda Mountain, northeast of Wauconda in Washington State.