The Cariboo Fire Centre has responded to 25 new wildfires since the B.C. Day long weekend. Lightning is believed to be the cause of all these fires.

Although some of these fires may be visible from local communities, there is currently no threat to any structures or communities.

• The largest of the new fires is the Lavington Road fire in the Quesnel Fire Zone. Airtankers and helicopters supported ground personnel late into the evening on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. Today, 35 firefighters will continue working to contain this fire with the assistance of helicopters and heavy equipment. This wildfire currently covers 25 hectares.
• The second-largest fire is a 20-hectare wildfire at Eliguk Lake in the Quesnel Fire Zone. Ground personnel are currently being supported by airtankers.
• The third-largest fire covers 17 hectares and is in the Kleena Kleene area of the Chilcotin Fire Zone. Multiple airtankers worked on this fire throughout the day and late into the evening on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. Today, 25 firefighters will be onsite, supported by airtankers and helicopters.
• The Moore Creek fire is roughly eight kilometres southeast of Baldface Mountain in the Chilcotin Fire Zone. This fire currently covers seven hectares and is being actioned by an Initial Attack Crew.

There are currently five fires burning in the Quesnel Fire Zone, one in the Central Cariboo Fire Zone, five in the Chilcotin Fire Zone and one in the 100 Mile House Fire Zone.

A Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibition remains in effect throughout the entire Cariboo Fire Centre, including the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels.

Campfires are allowed in the Cariboo Fire Centre east of the Fraser River, but they remain prohibited west of the Fraser River. More information about burning prohibitions can be found online at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp

With the recent increase in fire starts, the Cariboo Fire Centre is urging the public to be extremely cautious with campfire use. Campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure that the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

Enforcement related to non-compliant campfires is undertaken by the ministry’s Compliance and Enforcement Branch, in conjunction with the Wildfire Management Branch. Over the B.C. Day long weekend, Compliance and Enforcement Branch staff spoke with over 190 people on patrols that covered 1,750 kilometres. They responded to two unattended campfires and one campfire that was lit in an area where the campfire prohibition was in effect.

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

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at: 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:

Sandra Wagner
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Cariboo Fire Centre
250 989-2665