A major wind event is forecast to hit the Cariboo and southern British Columbia today, bringing gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour to some areas.

With gusty winds in the weather forecast as early as this evening and continuing into Sunday, the BC Wildfire Service is encouraging people to remain vigilant and avoid going into the backcountry to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is committed to keeping the public informed about wildfire activity in the province.

The BC Wildfire Service is urging members of the public to stay away from active wildfires wherever they may be in the province.

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.

Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement regarding the current wildfire activity in British Columbia:

In an effort to protect public safety, BC Parks, in co-ordination with the BC Wildfire Service, will close Wells Gray Provincial Park effective 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2017.

Effective at noon on Friday, July 7, 2017, campfires are prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

With the Canada Day long weekend approaching, motorists are reminded to expect delays on Highway 5 (Coquihalla) between Hope and Merritt due to two major road and bridge construction projects.