Unseasonably warm and dry weather in the Kamloops Fire Centre resulted in heightened wildfire activity, and a busy weekend, for the BC Wildfire Service.

Effective at noon on Monday, May 28, 2018, changes were made to an area restriction order for Crown land near the Allie Lake wildfire, about 55 kilometres northwest of Kamloops.

At noon on Saturday, May 26, 2018, an area restriction for Crown land in the vicinity of the Allie Lake wildfire came into effect to accommodate operational requirements. It will remain in place until noon on Oct. 31, 2018, or when the order is rescinded. The Allie Lake wildfire-area restriction remains in place to protect public safety and to ensure the safety of firefighting personnel who continue with fire suppression activities.

Due to drier than normal conditions, there is an increase in wildfire activity within the Kamloops Fire Centre.

As part of wildfire recovery efforts following the 2017 Elephant Hill wildfire, government is partnering with local First Nations to help protect and restore burnt areas and support local First Nations, as they monitor this spring’s mushroom harvest.

Effective at noon on May 15, 2018, the size of open fires will be restricted at elevations below 1,200 metres throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

New provincial investments in modular housing are creating thousands of new jobs and boosting local economies throughout the province.

The Government of British Columbia has contributed $500,000 to the Forestry Service Providers Compensation Fund to protect eligible forestry and silviculture contractors, and service providers, in the event of licensee insolvency.

A 300-hectare prescribed burn is being planned on Crown land in the Hat Creek area, to promote ecosystem renewal, reduce accumulations of flammable material and provide important training opportunities for BC Wildfire Service crews in the region.

The Government of British Columbia is providing $861,500 in grants to help manage the spread of invasive plants in the Okanagan and Thompson-Nicola regions, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development announced.