BC Wildfire Service personnel have been responding to lightning-caused wildfires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. Although some of these wildfires are visible from surrounding communities, none of these fires is immediately threatening communities or structures.

Due to their location, some of these fires are only being monitored. This type of fire-management strategy is called “modified response” and means that BC Wildfire Service personnel are monitoring the fire’s activity to ensure the fire remains within specific parameters and meets land-management guidelines.

Current wildfires within the Southeast Fire Centre include the following:

• The Harrop Creek wildfire started on July 27, 2017 about 10 kilometres southwest of Harrop-Procter. It covers about 15 hectares and currently is not threatening any communities or structures. This is a high-elevation fire in steep terrain, and BC Wildfire Service personnel responded yesterday with air support. Due to the steep terrain, it was deemed unsafe for ground crews to work on the fire, resulting in additional air support being brought in from Castlegar, Cranbrook and Prince George. A BC Wildfire Service officer is assessing and monitoring this fire.
• The Desmund Creek wildfire, one kilometre from the north edge of Kokanee Glacier Park, covers about 2.5 hectares. Three BC Wildfire Service personnel are currently on site with the support of three aircraft.
• The Mat Creek wildfire, northeast of Goat Range Park and seven kilometres southwest of Highway 31, covers about 0.1 hectares. A four-person crew is currently working on this fire.
• The 39-hectare Ward-Bloom fire, about 34 kilometres southwest of Baynes Lake just north of the U.S.A. border, experienced no significant growth overnight and currently has 35 personnel on site, supported by five pieces of heavy equipment.
• A 20-hectare fire at Healy Creek is burning about 11 kilometres northeast of Highway 31 and about 15 kilometres west of Duncan Lake. This fire is located in steep terrain and is being closely monitored at this time.
• Information on the Verdant Creek/Parks Canada wildfire can be found on the BC Parks website at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/mt_assiniboine/

The Southeast Fire Centre is currently experiencing very dry conditions and elevated fire danger ratings, from “high” to “extreme” throughout the region. With hot and dry conditions forecast through the weekend, the Southeast Fire Centre is urging the public to be extra cautious in the backcountry. All human-caused fires are preventable and can divert critical resources from naturally occurring wildfires.

The BC Wildfire Service reminds the public that campfires are prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.

Smoke from a few fires burning in Washington State may be visible today in the Columbia Fire Zone and throughout the Southeast Fire Centre over the weekend. For more information about wildfires burning in the U.S.A. please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to the Mica Dam in the north and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. The Southeast Fire Centre includes the Selkirk Natural Resource District and the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District.

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news on:

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