As warmer weather returns to parts of the province that were affected by last summer’s wildfires, some hotspots could emerge due to what are called “overwintering” fires.

Effective at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, the area restriction that’s been in place around the Elephant Hill wildfire north of Ashcroft was rescinded. The BC Wildfire Service no longer needs to restrict access to the area to protect public safety or conduct its firefighting operations.

Responding to continuing warm and dry conditions, the Province has announced a Level 4 drought rating for the South Thompson, Kettle and Granby watersheds.

With no relief in sight in the weather forecast, B.C.’s wildfire emergency is expected to continue over the next few weeks. To ensure that adequate resources are available to continue in the fight, more international personnel are on the way.

As sustained hot and dry weather continues to exacerbate an already busy summer wildfire season, additional firefighting resources from the United States and Mexico have been engaged to assist the BC Wildfire Service.

A public access restriction for the areas around the Thuya Creek and Dunn Lake wildfires is now in effect and will remain in force until the public is otherwise notified. This restriction was put in place to protect the safety of the public and firefighting personnel.

The first of 310 firefighting personnel from other Canadian agencies began arriving in British Columbia on Sunday, July 9, 2017, to help the BC Wildfire Service get the upper hand on the 225 wildfires that are burning in the province.