Sustained and persistent work by firefighters, cooler temperatures and significant precipitation have reduced wildfire activity in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre.

The fire danger rating in most of the northern part of the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction is now “very low”, while most of the southern part of the region is rated “low”. However, due to lower precipitation levels and higher temperatures in the southwest portion of the Boundary region, the fire danger rating there is still “moderate” and the Rock Creek area is rated “high”.

The fire west of Rock Creek is now 100% contained and is in patrol status. It will continue to be monitored by BC Wildfire Service personnel and a four-person Initial Attack Crew is ready to respond should the need arise. A fire warden will continually patrol the fire site during the warmest part of the day.

Solid containment lines have been established around the Rock Creek fire and infrared scanners have been used to check for hot spots.

Other notable wildfires in or affecting the Southeast Fire Centre:

• The Stickpin fire in Washington State is now 55% contained and currently covers about 21,965 hectares. The last BC Wildfire Service Sustained Action Crew left the Stickpin fire camp on Sept. 7 and has returned home.
• The Paulson Pass fire, mapped at 320 hectares, is now in patrol status.
• The Midgeley Mountain fire, covering 480 hectares, is currently in patrol status. BC Wildfire Service personnel are preparing for landscape rehabilitation operations on site.
• The fire west of Cherry Lake and the Big Sheep Creek fire are both 100% contained and in patrol status.

The public can still expect to see smoke emanating from these fires and others in the region, since some forest fuels within secure containment lines may have not completely burned.

The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for their support and understanding throughout this busy and challenging fire season, and for continuing to report wildfires and unattended campfires to the Wildfire Reporting Hotline at 1 800 663-5555 (toll-free) or *5555 on a cellphone.

Although campfires have been permitted since Aug. 31 within the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are still prohibited. An infographic showing the differences between campfires, Category 2 fires and Category 3 fires is available online at: http://bit.ly/1GlhE9l

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: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

For information about fires in the U.S.A., please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/49/