An Area Restriction Order is in effect immediately for areas near the White Tail Brook fire, approximately 10 kilometres east of the village of Canal Flats. This restriction is being put in place to protect the safety of firefighting personnel and the public.

A map of this area restriction can be found at the following link: http://bit.ly/1qM4kmL

The following forest service roads leading to the area are now closed:

• The main Whiteswan Forest Service Road from Highway 93/95 junction to the 32-km marker.
• The main Kootenay Forest Service Road from the 3-km marker to 34.5-km (White-Rock Forest Service Road and Kootenay Forest Service Road junction).
• The entire White-Rock Forest Service Road.

BC Parks has evacuated Whiteswan Provincial Park and it will be closed until further notice.

The White Tail Brook fire covers an estimated 600 hectares and no structures or communities are at risk at this time.

The Wildfire Management Branch is conducting a full response to this fire, including multiple helicopters and airtankers supporting over 50 personnel on the ground. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will assume command of this fire on Thursday, July 31. This transition will bring increased support staff to help manage the wildfire, which was discovered on July 27.

With hot and dry conditions forecast through next week and the potential for more thunderstorms on the long weekend, the Southeast Fire Centre is urging the public to be extra cautious in the backcountry. All person-caused fires are preventable and these incidents may affect the ability of the firefighting crews to respond to naturally occurring fires.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

For more information on the Whiteswan Lake Provincial park closure, please visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/whtswan/

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news on:

• Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contacts:

Jordan Turner
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4014

Fanny Bernard
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4056