The Wildfire Management Branch responded to three new wildfires over the weekend in the Cassiar Fire Zone, located in the extreme northwest corner of the province.

The Red River fire, located about 30 kilometres northeast of Boya Lake Provincial Park, has burned 285 hectares within the Ne’āh Conservancy. No structures are threatened at this time.

Two new fires are burning southeast of Atlin, but are not threatening any structures at this time:

• The King Salmon River Basin fire has burned 68 hectares within the Taku River/T’akú Téix’ Conservancy, 90 kilometres southeast of Atlin.
• The Langhorse Mountain fire has burned 625 hectares in the headwaters of the Nakina River, approximately 70 kilometres southeast of Atlin.

Elsewhere, the Inklin River fire has now burned an estimated 366 hectares about 90 kilometres southeast of Atlin. In addition to regular monitoring flights over the area, the Wildfire Management Branch is using remote camera technology capable of transmitting real-time photos and video to wildfire personnel.

Depending on weather conditions and wind direction, smoke from these fires may be visible in Atlin, Lower Post, Good Hope, Boya Lake Provincial Park and Watson Lake, as well as in Yukon Territory near the B.C. border.

Wildfire Management Branch staff surveyed the new fires on the weekend and are developing suppression strategies. All four of the lightning-caused fires burning in the region are in remote areas where wildfire has traditionally played a beneficial role in the natural evolution of local ecosystems.

Public reporting of smoke or flames is vital for the Wildfire Management Branch’s quick response to new wildfires. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at: www.bcwildfire.ca or call 1 888 3FOREST.

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