Weather conditions are forcing smoke from wildfires in the interior of British Columbia to the coast, producing smoky skies on northern Vancouver Island and the mainland's central coast.

Open fires remain prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, despite recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.

Wildfire Management Branch crews from the Northwest Fire Centre have responded to eight new fires in the last 24 hours in the Smithers, Terrace, Hazleton and Telkwa areas.

With weather conditions expected to remain dry in the coming week, water users in the Bulkley and Skeena watersheds are being urged to reduce water consumption.

With 162 wildfires still burning throughout the province and many fire crews needing to take mandatory days off, the Wildfire Management Branch will welcome 90 more out-of-province fire personnel to B.C. over the weekend.

Effective at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, campfires will once again be permitted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The Toquaht Bay marina and boat launch will reopen for access on Aug. 26, 2014.

Despite cooler temperatures and scattered showers in some areas of the Prince George Fire Centre, the fire danger rating still ranges from “high” to “extreme”.

The fire danger rating in the Northwest Fire Centre currently ranges from “high” to “extreme”. Dry conditions are expected to continue and no substantial rainfall is in the forecast.

The B.C. government is looking for proposals from agencies, societies, businesses or individuals for the future use of the historic Keremeos Grist Mill and lands that will reduce reliance on public funds.