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.

Crews from the BC Wildfire Service are responding to a wildfire near Skutz Falls Road about 10 kilometres east of Cowichan Lake.

Effective at noon on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, campfires will once again be permitted in the North Island-Central Coast Natural Resource District within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

An Area Restriction Order that was implemented for the Sitkum Creek wildfire on July 9, 2015, has been rescinded, effective immediately. This fire is now 90% contained.

Responding to continuing dry conditions, the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 4 drought rating for the South Thompson, Similkameen, Kettle and Skagit areas due to ongoing low stream flows.

Effective at noon on Monday, July 27, 2015, campfires will once again be allowed east of the Fraser River within the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

Although campfires are currently allowed in some areas and municipalities in northern B.C., the BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public that campfires are still prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

Since Monday, July 20, the BC Wildfire Service has responded to 81 new wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre. All but five of those fires were lightning-caused.