Due to the extreme fire danger that exists throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre and the number of active wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service is contemplating an area restriction for all Crown land within the jurisdiction of the Cariboo Fire Centre that would go into effect at noon, Friday, Aug. 11.

The final decision will be made Friday morning. The area restriction will be implemented if high winds materialize as currently forecasted.

The area restriction order means that a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area without the prior written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, unless the person:

Enters the area only in the course of:
       (a) Travelling to or from his or her principle residence;
       (b) Using a highway as defined in the Transportation Act;
       (c) Travelling as a person acting in an official capacity; or
       (d) Travelling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression activities.

The Cariboo Fire Centre stretches from Loon Lake (near Clinton) in the south to the Cottonwood River (near Quesnel) in the north and from Tweedsmuir Provincial Park in the west to Wells Gray Provincial Park in the east.

Evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Cariboo Regional District remain in place. For more information about these alerts and orders, please visit: http://ow.ly/9laX30ekdew

Smokey conditions may persist for the coming weeks. For information on air quality, as well as smoke forecasts for Western Canada, visit the BC Air Quality website: www.bcairquality.ca/bluesky/west/index.html

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, 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, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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