The BC Wildfire Service is reminding everyone that public access to Williams Lake, Watson Lake, Lac La Hache and Horse Lake has been restricted since July 14, 2017. This area restriction order was necessary to keep people off these lakes and assist with wildfire suppression efforts.

When firefighting aircraft, such as airtankers or helicopters, are working on an active wildfire and picking up water from nearby lakes, they need plenty of room to manoeuvre to do their job safely.

Recreational boaters or people using other watercraft who try to get a close-up look at these aircraft present a serious safety risk for air crews and anyone else in the area. This behaviour is extremely dangerous and interferes with the BC Wildfire Service’s ability to fight a fire.

Firefighting aircraft take water out of these four lakes to support fire suppression operations. Members of the public are not permitted to be on these lakes while these area restriction orders are in effect, so they don’t disrupt air operations.

The rain in parts of the Cariboo Fire Centre over the past few days has helped decrease fire behaviour to a degree. However, the weather forecast is calling for a return to dry and warm conditions similar to what’s been experienced in the past few weeks, which is expected to increase fire activity.

The forecast indicates that winds will pick up Saturday in the late evening and again during the day on Sunday, which will increase fire behaviour and increase the safety risk with danger trees in the area. Danger trees are trees that have been damaged by wildfire to the point where they may become unstable.

Officials have stepped up patrols in these areas to ensure compliance with these measures.

• The area restriction order that took effect for Williams Lake on July 14, 2017 will remain in place until Aug. 25, 2017 or until the order is rescinded. For information about this restricted area and its boundaries, visit: http://ow.ly/hBKY30dE2hv
• The area restriction order that took effect for Watson Lake on July 14, 2017 will remain in place until Aug. 25, 2017 or until the order is rescinded. For information about this restricted area and its boundaries, visit: http://ow.ly/ytRI30dEatR
• The area restriction order that took effect for Lac La Hache on July 14, 2017 will remain in place until Aug. 25, 2017 or until the order is rescinded. For information about this restricted area and its boundaries, visit: http://ow.ly/ZEYk30dE2eZ
• The area restriction order that took effect for Horse Lake on July 14, 2017 will remain in place until Aug. 25, 2017 or until the order is rescinded. For information about this restricted area and its boundaries, visit: http://ow.ly/FG2s30dE29p

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, please call 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1 888 3-FOREST or visit www.bcwildfire.ca

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