Due to decreased fire activity, cooler weather and recent progress made by firefighting crews, regional districts in the Southeast Fire Centre and the BC Wildfire Service have made some changes to existing area restrictions and evacuation alerts.

Effective at noon on Sept. 18, 2017, the BC Wildfire Service has rescinded the campfire prohibition that was in effect within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. The use of tiki torches (and similar kinds of torches), outdoor stoves, gas stoves and other portable campfire equipment is also now permitted.

With many streams and rivers in the Lower Columbia, West Kootenay and East Kootenay regions experiencing very low streamflows, Kootenay residents are being urged to reduce water consumption.

Even as firefighters continue to battle blazes throughout the province, the British Columbia government is already implementing a long-term plan to recover from this year’s unprecedented wildfire activity and support affected British Columbians.

The Government of British Columbia has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the South Coast Region, particularly the Sunshine Coast where conditions have been especially dry.

Continuing dry conditions and dropping water levels have prompted the Government of British Columbia to announce a Level 3 drought rating for the East Peace region.

Due to recent changes in weather and fire behaviour, the closure of the Rocky Mountain Forest District will be rescinded effective at noon Pacific time on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017.

As of noon on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, an amended area restriction order for Crown land in the vicinity of the Elephant Hill wildfire came into effect to support ongoing firefighting operations.

Private waterfront landowners on the Okanagan lakes who want to repair docks, boat moorage facilities, retaining walls or eroded land are reminded to contact their local government to find out what kind of authorization is required.

With the recent number of storms, high water and flood events in many areas of the Coast Mountains Natural Resource District, members of the public are reminded to use caution when driving on backcountry and forest service roads.