Two wildfires in the Cassiar Fire Zone of the Northwest Fire Centre are producing large smoke columns that are highly visible from nearby communities.

A Level 4 drought rating is being implemented for the Coldwater River watershed in response to extremely low stream conditions.

Local governments, Indigenous communities and organizations, as well as not-for-profit organizations, are reminded to get their applications for the sixth intake of the BC Rural Dividend program submitted before the Aug. 15, 2019, deadline.

With increasing temperatures and drier conditions in many parts of the province, British Columbians are urged to do everything they can to prevent wildfires on the B.C. Day long weekend and in the weeks ahead.

Mabel Lake Forest Service Road (FSR) will be temporarily closed between the 14-kilometre and 16-kilometre marks, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, and ending Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019.

Members of the public are being reminded to be careful when travelling on Crown land in the Cariboo where wildfires occurred in 2017 and 2018, especially in areas where fireguards were established to help fight those fires.

Wildfire rehabilitation and recovery activities are ongoing in the Cariboo region as staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and contractors repair damage to landscapes burned during the 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons.

Effective at noon Pacific time on Monday, July 29, 2019, Category 2 open burning will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, including the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District and the Selkirk Natural Resource District.

Effective at noon on Monday, July 29, 2019, Category 2 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.