The ministry is advising motorists to plan ahead, check live traffic conditions on DriveBC.ca and expect delays on the Coquihalla/Highway 5 on the Thanksgiving long weekend.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a two-hectare wildfire about two kilometres northeast of Rattlesnake Island, on the eastern shore of Okanagan Lake.

As of noon on Oct. 1, 2017, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning is allowed throughout the northern portion of the Kamloops Fire Zone (the North Prohibition Area).

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Sept. 29, 2017, the area restriction that’s been in place around the Elephant Hill wildfire north of Ashcroft was rescinded.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.

Effective at noon on Sept. 22, 2017, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions were rescinded at elevations higher than 1,200 metres in the Vernon Fire Zone and in the northern portion of the Kamloops Fire Zone (the North Prohibition Area).

Effective at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, an amended area restriction for Crown land in the vicinity of the Elephant Hill wildfire was implemented to accommodate operational requirements, protect public safety and ensure the safety of firefighting personnel.

Effective at noon on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, campfires will once again be allowed throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, Southeast Fire Centre and Cariboo Fire Centre. A return to more seasonal weather conditions and recent precipitation has reduced the wildfire risk in these areas.

Kamloops motorists are advised that the Red Bridge on Mt. Paul Way in Kamloops will be a closed to vehicle traffic for approximately one hour on Friday, Sept. 22, beginning between 11 a.m. and noon, during the Upper Nicola Indian Band’s Calling Our Spirits Back Healing Walk.

The operation of off-road vehicles will once again be permitted on Crown land throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre, Kamloops Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre, effective at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017.