Most of the smoke that’s been visible in parts of the Southeast Fire Centre is coming from several wildfires in Washington State, particularly one near Deep Lake in Stevens County.

The BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public that the use of fireworks is banned in the Southeast Fire Centre, as part of the Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions implemented earlier this year to help reduce wildfire risks.

A public access restriction is now in effect along the Gilpin Forest Service Road, due to the nearby Gilpin wildfire. This area restriction was put in place to protect the public and allow first responders to operate safely in the area.

The wildfire burning in the Gilpin area east of Grand Forks has grown to 224 hectares, but cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels are forecasted for the area.  

The BC Wildfire Service and the Windermere Fire Department are holding a FireSmart Community Champion Workshop at the Windermere fire hall on Saturday, May 28.

Parts of southeast British Columbia have received varying amounts of rainfall over the past week, but the campfire ban that’s been in place since July 3 throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified.

Smoke from the Cisco Road Fire near Lytton is drifting into the Southeast Fire Centre and residents may continue to see smoke from that blaze as firefighting crews work to suppress it.

The Wildfire Management Branch will be conducting a prescribed burn near Tulip Creek in Syringa Provincial Park between March 13 and March 31, weather conditions permitting, in conjunction with BC Parks and BC Hydro's Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program.

On Monday, March 9, crews from the Southeast Fire Centre responded to four new wildfires, all of which were human-caused and therefore preventable.

Open fires remain prohibited within the Southeast Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.