The BC Wildfire Service has amended an area restriction order that is in effect for the Syringa Complex wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre.

This order was implemented to protect public safety and avoid any interference with wildfire control activities.

• The Deer Creek and Syringa Creek area restriction now begins at the junction of Little Cayuse Creek and Broadwater Road and includes the area north to Mount Stanley and west along the Sunshine Creek drainage. This area restriction order still includes the Deer Creek Forest Service Road area, but members of the public can now use the Rialto Forest Service Road. A detailed map is available online: http://ow.ly/vnqb30lV1Sn

The voluntary trail closure for the Columbia Western Rail Trail (near the Bulldog Mountain wildfire) is no longer in effect.

The BC Wildfire Service reminds members of the public to use caution in regions where fires are still burning. Wildfires are active worksites where fire suppression activities may be ongoing.

People can expect to see smouldering ground fires and some smoke within the perimeters of the Syringa Creek, Deer Creek and Bulldog Mountain wildfires. Firefighting personnel and helicopters continue to operate in these areas.

Although access restrictions have been rescinded in some areas, it is important for people to obey all instructional signs posted on roadways — for their own safety and for the safety of firefighting crews.

Higher traffic volumes can be expected on the Deer Park Forest Service Road into next week. Please drive defensively and exercise extreme caution. If you have a two-way radio, please use it to call up and down along forest service roads. The radio channel frequency and instructions are posted at the start of the Deer Park Forest Service Road.

Hunters, recreationalists and anyone else heading into the backcountry should use caution when travelling in areas affected by wildfires since there may be safety hazards present. These hazards could include:

• danger trees (fire-damaged trees that have become unstable and could fall over without warning)
• ash pits, which may be hard to detect and can remain hot long after flames have died down
• unstable soils and terrain
• increased potential for landslides or rock falls
• damaged trails or irregular trail surfaces
• increased water runoff, which could lead to flooding or debris flows
• damaged fencing, which could allow livestock to enter roadways

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire 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
• On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo