People living in the communities of Burns Lake, Southside, Fraser Lake and Vanderhoof may notice smoke in the air as a result of a wildfire burning south of the Chelaslie River.

This fire has burned about 350 hectares, approximately seven kilometres south of the Chelaslie River and directly north of the Entiako Protected Area. Smoky conditions are expected to continue as a result of this wildfire and weather conditions in the coming days. Any growth in the size of this fire may increase the amount of smoke seen in the area.

The first priority of the Northwest Fire Centre is to protect life and property. In certain situations, fire officials may determine that it is safe to allow a fire to burn without extinguishing it. Wildfire is a natural part of many ecosystems and has regenerative properties for the affected terrain.

The Chelaslie River fire has been classified as a “modified response” fire. Modified response fires are closely monitored and allowed to burn only within set policies and management guidelines that are created in collaboration with stakeholders and land managers.

The fire danger rating in the Nadina Fire Zone is currently “high” to “extreme”, with increasingly hot and dry weather conditions in the forecast. These conditions mean that forest fuels are very dry and the risk of fire is serious. Extreme caution must be exercised when using fire in these conditions.

The Northwest Fire Centre continues to receive reports of unattended campfires in the area. Because human-caused wildfires divert critical resources away from lightning-caused fires, the Wildfire Management Branch requests that the public remain vigilant in the backcountry and report all wildfires or abandoned campfires by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

The Northwest Fire Centre would like to thank the public for reporting wildfires in the region and for using fire safely during this period of elevated fire danger.

For information on air quality, as well as smoke forecasts for Western Canada, visit the BC Air Quality website: www.bcairquality.ca/bluesky/west/index.html

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

• On Twitter at http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo 
• On Facebook at http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contacts:

Olivia Pojar
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Northwest Fire Centre
250 847-6639