Smoke from several lightning-caused wildfires may drift into communities in northwest British Columbia over the coming week.

There are currently four active wildfires in the Cassiar Fire Zone and they are being monitored by Wildfire Management Branch personnel.

• The Langhorse Mountain fire has burned 3,343 hectares near the headwaters of the Nakina River, about 70 kilometres southeast of Atlin.
• The King Salmon River Basin fire has burned 2,730 hectares within the Taku River/T’éix Conservancy, about 90 kilometres southeast of Atlin.
• The Inklin River fire has burned 474 hectares within the Nakina-Inklin Rivers/Yáwu Yaa Conservancy, about 90 kilometres southeast of Atlin.
• The Red River fire has burned 1,038 hectares within the Ne’āh’ Conservancy, about 65 kilometres southeast of Watson Lake.

These regions have received precipitation in the past week, but a significant drying and warming trend is forecast for the weekend and into next week. Temperatures in the mid-20s, along with drier conditions, may result in increased fire activity and smoke.

Smoke may disperse hundreds of kilometres from its source. Smoke from fires in the Cassiar Fire Zone, along with smoke from fires burning outside of B.C., may be visible in communities near the B.C.-Yukon border. Smoke forecasts for specific areas can be obtained online at: www.bcairquality.ca/bluesky/west/index.html

All of the wildfires in the Cassiar Fire Zone are burning in remote areas with no road access and where fire has traditionally been a natural component of the landscape. Fire returns nutrients to the soil, helps regulate insect populations, maintains a diversity of plant and animal life and clears combustible materials from forest floors, which can reduce the severity and frequency of future fires in the area.

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 and burning restrictions, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca or call 1 888 3-FOREST.

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