Smoke originating from the large wildfires in the Cariboo Fire Centre has drifted north and is now visible throughout the Prince George Fire Centre.

A 70-hectare wildfire about 15 kilometres northeast of Nelson has prompted the Regional District of Central Kootenay to issue an evacuation alert between Sitkum Creek and Crescent Bay, as a precautionary measure.

Due to increased fire activity in the Bald Mountain area, the BC Wildfire Service has recommended the immediate closure of Highway 20 (east and west directions) from the Fraser River to the Alex Graham/600 Road until further notice.

A cold front bringing strong and shifting winds is expected to move into the Cariboo Fire Centre today and persist into Sunday. There is also a risk of lightning, as winds could gust up to 60 kilometres per hour in unpredictable directions.  

With weeks of British Columbia’s fire season remaining and no relief from hot, dry conditions in sight, the Province has asked the federal government for additional Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) support through September.

Effective immediately, the BC Wildfire Service is restricting boat access on the Pend D’Oreille River due to boaters interfering with firefighting aircraft. As well, public access is restricted along the Pend D’Oreille Road from the Seven Mile Dam at Waneta – east to the international border.

BC Wildfire Service personnel have been responding to 43 active wildfires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. These fires include the following:

Due to the extreme fire danger that exists throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre and the number of active wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service is contemplating an area restriction for all Crown land within the jurisdiction of the Cariboo Fire Centre that would go into effect at noon, Friday, Aug. 11.

Due to reduced fire activity and recent progress made on the Dunn Lake wildfire by firefighting crews, the BC Wildfire Service has rescinded the area restriction order that was implemented on July 7, 2017, for the area around this fire.