The BC Wildfire Service is reminding members of the public that they must stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are collecting water from lakes and other bodies of water.

Effective Nov. 30, 2017, the British Columbia government will end grizzly bear trophy hunting throughout the province and stop all hunting of grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest, Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson announced today.

Small businesses can immediately access emergency financial support in areas that have been impacted by the B.C. wildfires, Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson announced today.

Smoke originating from wildfires in the Prince George Fire Centre and Cariboo Fire Centre has been visible in most areas of the Nadina, Bulkley and Skeena fire zones in the Northwest Fire Centre. This smoke is expected to linger in the area for the next few days.

With no relief in sight in the weather forecast, B.C.’s wildfire emergency is expected to continue over the next few weeks. To ensure that adequate resources are available to continue in the fight, more international personnel are on the way.

The recent growth of two wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre has prompted the Columbia Shuswap Regional District to issue two evacuation alerts — one for the Galena Bay area and another for Heather Lodge and the surrounding area.

The Precipice wildfire that is burning about 52 kilometres east of Bella Coola continues to grow. This lightning-caused fire started on July 7, 2017, in a remote area of Tweedsmuir Park on the Cariboo Plateau, known locally as “The Precipice”.

People living in the Williams Lake area can expect to see columns of smoke rising from within the Wildwood wildfire today and in the coming days.

As of noon on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, an Order of Restricted Access will be in effect for Crown land around the Big Bend Creek, Tatelkuz Lake, Lucas Lake and Chedakuz Creek wildfires southwest of Vanderhoof.

BC Parks, in co-ordination with the BC Wildfire Service and Recreation Sites and Trails BC, will close backcountry access to specific areas of Wells Gray Provincial Park effective at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017. This step is being taken to help protect public safety.