The Southeast Fire Centre is asking hunters to stay away from areas with active wildfires. Hunting season begins on Sept. 1, and hunting in the vicinity of a wildfire could put the safety of firefighters at risk.

The Southeast Fire Centre has 74 active wildfires burning through the region. While the major fires of note are listed below, for details on the locations of smaller wildfires please visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

• The 4,417 hectare fire west of Rock Creek is 75% contained. Today, there are 120 personnel and two helicopters onsite.

• The fire west of Rossland in the Big Sheep Creek area is 190 hectares and 80% contained. Today, 30 personnel and four helicopters are onsite. There is an area restriction in place for this wildfire. For more details please visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

• The Deer Creek wildfire burning 30 kilometres northwest of Castlegar is 1,100 hectares and is 40% contained. Today, 29 personnel and two helicopters are onsite.

• The 480 hectare fire burning on Mount Midgley, northwest of Creston, is now 90% contained. Twenty-eight personnel, five helicopters continue to work on the incident.

• The fire 10 kilometres north of Christina Lake on the Paulson Pass is 320 hectares and 90% contained. Fifty-nine personnel and two helicopters are on site today.

• The 1,700 hectare fire 25 kilometres north of Grand Forks in the Lynch creek area is 15% contained. This fire merged with another fire burning in Gladstone Provincial Park yesterday, increasing the size. Today, there are 62 personnel and three helicopters onsite. There is a forest service road restriction in place for this wildfire. For more details please visit: www.bcwildfire.ca
   
• The fire 35 kilometres southeast of Cranbrook burning near Cherry Lake is 1,250 hectares. Fifty-three personnel and seven helicopters are on site today. There are forest service road restrictions in place for this wildfire. For more details please visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

As of today, 559 wildfires have burned 12,709 hectares in the Southeast Fire Centre. Of those fires, 486 were caused by lightning and 73 were caused by people.

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, visit: 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