Effective at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, an open fire prohibition will be lifted for most of the Northwest Fire Centre, with the exception of the Morice, Bulkley and Lakes timber supply areas.

In advance of National Forest Week, Sept. 23-29, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson released the following statement:

Smoky skies in the B.C. Interior are the result of several large forest fires, including the Entiako Lake fire in the northeast corner of Tweedsmuir Park. The smoke from these fires has drifted down the coast to Bella Coola, east to Prince George and as far south as Kamloops.

The public is invited to learn more about bugs and their relationship with our province's forests during National Forest Week.

Effective at noon PDT on Thursday, Sept. 20, all open fires and fireworks will be prohibited throughout the Prince George Fire Centre, with the exception of the Prince George Forest District east of Highway 97 and the Fort Nelson Forest District.

Effective at noon PDT on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, the prohibitions on open fires in the Southeast Fire Centre will be extended.

Effective at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, all open fires are prohibited throughout the Northwest Fire Centre, with the exception of the former North Coast Forest District, the Cassiar Fire Zone and the portion of the Skeena Fire Zone north of the Meziadin Junction.

People living in communities east of Tweedsmuir Park may see more smoke or haze than usual in their areas over the weekend, due to a forest fire burning in the park.

The public is invited to celebrate National Forest Week at the South Island Natural Resource District Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.