BC Wildfire Service

The FireSmart Economic Recovery Fund was created to support communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by creating jobs and building wildfire resiliency. To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.ubcm.ca//firesmart-economic-recovery-fund.html

FireSmart Canada's latest resource recognizes Indigenous peoples for their vital contributions to wildfire prevention. To order this book as well as other great FireSmart resources, visit: https://firesmartbc.ca/resource-ordering-form

The BC Wildfire Service is excited to announce the latest update to the Public Mobile App! It now includes three weather layers: real-time forecast data, precipitation radar, and fire smoke. The weather forecast and precipitation data is brought to us by Environment Canada and the third layer comes from firesmoke.ca, allowing users to visualize movement of smoke affecting the province. Bringing these three data sets into one convenient location is a significant step forward ...for the public experience of wildfire information. Download the BCWS Public Mobile app today, available on all Apple (iOS) and Android devices. App Store: http://ow.ly/U61V30rsTnh Google Play Store: http://ow.ly/dzqu30rsTlO

It’s not your typical daily commute when you work on a Rapattack crew. Rapattack firefighters rappel and/or hoist from helicopters in order to perform initial attack fire suppression on often otherwise inaccessible wildfires. The Rapattack Program is based out of the Kamloops Fire Centre in Salmon Arm, which is centrally located for the majority of wildfires that require Rapattack response. Sound like your kind of work? Applications for fire crew positions are open until Jan. 10. 2021.

Last call to apply! We are accepting crew member applications until midnight tonight for the 2021 wildfire season. Apply now via the link below:

There’s still time! Applications to become a firefighter with the BC Wildfire Service for the 2021 wildfire season are still being accepted. Apply by January 10, 2021: http://ow.ly/8Tsa30mDcCc To learn more about the role of wildland firefighters and their various formations in B.C., visit: http://ow.ly/D0iy30rrTJo

The BC Wildfire Service will be carrying out a pile burning project in the Summerland area over the next few months. As a result, smoke may be visible in Summerland, Peachland, Penticton and surrounding areas. This pile burning is part of an ongoing fuel management project to mitigate wildfire hazards by reducing accumulations of fuels on the landscape. For further details, please refer to the Information Bulletin linked below.

FireSmart is giving away some of its best swag this holiday season! Enter by following FireSmart BC, liking their original post, and tagging three friends in the comments. One lucky winner will be selected at random on Dec. 9th. Good luck!

We are honoured to partner with the First Nations Forestry Council through the Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program! The Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program (IFSP) offers Indigenous youth training and employment opportunities in forestry and its subsectors. For more information, visit their website: https://www.forestrycouncil.ca/cpages/ifsp

The BC Wildfire Service is pleased to support the Penticton Trails Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) project underway near Powell River. This treatment will reduce wildfire risk in this popular hiking area. There will be periodic closures of some trails while danger trees are cut to make the trails safer for the public and firefighters. Hikers using the trails are asked to obey posted signs during this process. For more information about this project, including a map, visit the WRR webpage: https://www2.gov.bc.ca//funding-for-wildfire-prev/crip/wrr

The BC Wildfire Service is planning to burn about 70 piles of woody debris in an area near the Arawana Forest Service Road, about five kilometres east of Naramata. Smoke may be visible in the surrounding area, including Naramata, Penticton and Summerland. The burns are scheduled to start on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, and will be concluded by April 1, 2021. The exact timing of the burns will depend on weather, site and venting conditions, and on snowfall. The burns will proceed only if conditions are suitable and will allow for quick smoke dissipation. For more details, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/PR7030rhnva

What does a Unit Crew do? 20-person Unit Crews specialize in larger wildfires that have grown beyond what a three-person Initial Attack crew can respond to. Unit Crews establish pump and hose lines, dig fire guards, burn off fuel from the fire’s path, and use chainsaws to cut fuel breaks and remove danger trees. Depending on the fire, Unit Crew personnel may live in a temporary fire camp and work for up to 14 days in a row on a fire. Sound like your kind of work? Apply online today: http://ow.ly/8Tsa30mDcCc

Meet Ember, FireSmart's official mascot! Learn more: https://firesmartfox.ca/

The BC Wildfire Service is planning to burn about 10 piles of woody debris in the Joe Rich area, on top of the ridge west of the Philpott Forest Service Road. Smoke may be visible from nearby communities. These burns are scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 and will be concluded by the end of December 2020. The exact timing of the burns will depend on weather, site and venting conditions, and on snowfall. The burns will proceed only if conditions are suitable and will ...allow for quick smoke dissipation. For more details, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/tH0J50C0ZXq

The BC Wildfire Service is tracking a significant number of Category 2 and registered Category 3 open fires within the Southeast Fire Centre. Smoke and open flames related to these controlled fires may be visible from nearby communities and roadways.

On Oct. 20, 2020, the Talbott Creek wildfire (N51250) was officially declared out by the BC Wildfire Service. Recent cold and wet conditions helped extinguish the remaining fire activity within its perimeter. People in nearby communities can expect to still see crews working at the fire site as rehabilitation work continues along the Tedesco Forest Service Road and on fire guard systems that were established while the fire was burning. The location of the Talbott Creek wild...fire remains an active worksite, so the public should always exercise caution while travelling or participating in recreational activities in the area. Safety hazards, such as dead trees and ash pits, may also be present. The BC Wildfire Service would like to thank the residents of surrounding communities for their patience and support while the Talbott Creek wildfire was burning and during the rehabilitation work.

The BC Wildfire Service will be burning piles of unsalvageable wood debris throughout October and November 2020 at three locations south of Francois Lake, near Smithers, where wildfires occurred in 2018. The exact timing of these burns will depend on weather, site and venting conditions. Burning will only be done when conditions are suitable and will allow smoke to dissipate as quickly as possible. Smoke will be visible to nearby residents and communities. Removal of these de...bris' piles will also help reduce the threat of unwanted wildfires in these areas. BC Wildfire Service staff will monitor the fires at all times. For more information, please refer to the latest information bulletin: http://ow.ly/m6l950BTLlq

The BC Wildfire Service and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality will be burning about 40 piles of wood debris near the Northern Rockies Regional Airport sometime between Oct. 14 and Oct. 16, 2020, depending on site and weather conditions. The airport is located about four kilometres northeast of Fort Nelson. Smoke may be visible from Fort Nelson and surrounding areas. For more information, please refer to the latest information bulletin: http://ow.ly/RWPP50BRrlT

The BC Wildfire Service plans to begin work on two ecosystem restoration burns in the Southeast Fire Centre. These burns will take place in the Boundary and Invermere fire zones to help restore forest health, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in their respective areas. The exact timing of these burns will depend on weather and site conditions, but could begin as early as Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Burning will proceed only if conditions ...are suitable and allow for low-intensity to moderate-intensity fires. Ecosystem restoration burns: Bubar Creek Up to 41 hectares. About seven kilometres northeast of Rock Creek and about 35 kilometres west of Grand Forks. Smoke may be visible from Rock Creek and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 3. For more details about this burn project, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/L8EU50BFTVt Premier Lake Up to 12 hectares. The site is about 5.5 kilometres east of Skookumchuck and about 43 kilometres north of Cranbrook. Smoke may be visible from Skookumchuck and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 93. For more details about this burn project, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/z72S50BFTSQ

BC Wildfire Service crews are planning to burn piles of woody debris near 100 Mile House over the next few weeks. Smoke and flames may be visible from 100 Mile House and surrounding communities. Burning may begin as early as Oct. 13, 2020 and continue periodically until Oct. 31, 2020. Green Lake Provincial Park Pile burning will occur on the south side of Green Lake along Boyd Bay. The overall objective is to mitigate wildfire risks by reducing accumulations of forest f...uels. This project is being done in partnership with BC Parks. 99 Mile Ski Trails This burn will occur about 1.6 kilometres south of 100 Mile House within the 100 Mile House District Woodlot. The key goal of this forest pest management project is to remove trees affected by Douglas-fir beetles. This work is being done in partnership with the District of 100 Mile House. For more information, read the Information Bulletin: http://ow.ly/ESy250BOEnx

Effective at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, Category 2 and 3 open fires will once again be allowed throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, due to favourable weather conditions and a decreased wildfire risk in the region. Prior to conducting burning activities, the public is reminded to check local government regulations, observe local site conditions and pay attention to current and predicted weather forecasts. Anyone who lights, fuels, or makes use of open fi...re must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Burning anything other than clean woody debris requires a permit or approval from the Ministry of Environment. More information about the rescinding of the Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions (and about other activities that will once again be allowed within the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction) is available online: http://ow.ly/kU1330rcf42

Effective at noon on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, Category 3 open burning, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, will once again be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre's jurisdiction due to a decreased wildfire risk. For more information about open burning within the Southeast Fire Centre, please visit: http://ow.ly/5BDY50BNBRT Anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time (at no charge) by calling 1 888 797-1717. All Category 3 open fires must comply with the Wildfire Act, Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Learn more about regulations that apply to Category 3 open fires: http://ow.ly/dV2B50BIiZk

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, all open burning will once again be permitted throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. This includes the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels and burn cages. The public is advised to check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size, since they may have their own burning restrictions in place. For more information about open burning, read the information... bulletin: http://ow.ly/NDYS30rcdnR A poster explaining the different categories of open fires is available online at: http://ow.ly/jdO5301kS32

The BC Wildfire Service and BC Parks are conducting a 22-hectare ecosystem restoration burn in the West Arm Park area of the Southeast Fire Centre, about 5.7 kilometres northeast of Nelson. Smoke is visible from Nelson and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 3A. This smoke may continue to be seen in the coming days as small amounts of remaining fuels smoulder. All prescribed burns take into account the impacts of smoke on nearby residents. Actio...ns to minimize any negative effects are a requirement of this type of burn and they’re included in the burn plan. Trained BC Wildfire Service personnel will monitor this fire at all times. Key goals of this prescribed burn are to preserve park values, restore the ecosystem and decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the area. For more information, read the Information Bulletin here: http://ow.ly/8VWB30rdS3t Learn more about prescribed burning online at: http://ow.ly/20Su50Ax89j

Effective today at noon, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, all open fires were again permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. Although recent rainfall has reduced the wildfire risk in the region, members of the public are urged to undertake any open burning responsibly to reduce the likelihood of starting a wildfire. This rescinding of open burning prohibitions means that campfires, Category 2 open fires, Category 3 open fires and resource management burns are perm...itted everywhere within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. However, local governments may still have burning restrictions in place, so people should check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size. The following fire-related activities are also allowed: the use of burning barrels and burning cages the use of air curtain burners the use of binary exploding targets the use of sky lanterns the use of fireworks, including firecrackers Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717. A Category 3 fire is a fire that burns material more than two metres high or three metres wide, stubble or grass in an area more than 2,000 square metres, or three or more piles burning at the same time. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: http://ow.ly/znny309kJv5 For more information is available here: http://ow.ly/nrOa30rbPow

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, the Category 2 open burning prohibition will be rescinded throughout the Southeast Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, due to decreased wildfire risk. Residents are reminded to take appropriate precautions and exercise caution with any outdoor burning. For more information about open burning regulations in the Southeast Fire Centre, please visit: http://ow.ly/t4zY30rbCKu Category 3 open fires, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation, remain prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre until the public is otherwise notified. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: http://ow.ly/znny309kJv5

The BC Wildfire Service plans to begin work on two prescribed burns in the Arrow Fire Zone in the Southeast Fire Centre. These objectives of these burns is to prepare the site for planting and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in their respective areas. The exact timing of these burns will depend on weather and site conditions, but could begin as early as Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Burning will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for low-intensity to mode...rate-intensity fires. Ecosystem restoration burns: Snow Creek Up to 20 hectares. The burn site is about eight kilometres southeast of the community of Burton, at about the 14-kilometre marker on the Snow Creek Forest Service Road. Smoke may be visible from Burton and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 6. For more details about this burn project, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/EUqS30rdEfS Nakusp Community Forest Up to 10 hectares. The burn site is about 15 kilometres south of Nakusp. Smoke may be visible from Nakusp and to motorists travelling along Highway 6. For more details about this burn project, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/cTgw30rdEg7

As of Saturday, September 19, 2020, the Doctor Creek wildfire (N21257) is classified as Under Control which means that the fire has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread. For more information about stages of control please visit: http://ow.ly/VHmc30rb2if. This incident is no longer considered a Wildfire of Note and has been removed from BC Wildfire Service's Wildfires of Note webpage. BC Wildfire Service personnel will continue to monitor this fir...e closely over the coming days and weeks. Crew members are working today to demobilize gear and equipment from the site. Nearby communities can still expect to see smoke within the fire’s perimeter over the coming weeks. This is common with large wildfires, and smoke will continue to be visible until there is significant rainfall at the site. However, smoke that rises from green, unburned fuel or from outside a fire’s perimeter should be reported immediately. To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

With the support of the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society, the BC Wildfire Service plans to conduct a 350-hectare ecosystem restoration burn near the Old Kimberley Airport, about 18 kilometres east of Kimberley and about 23 kilometres north of Cranbrook. This burn will help restore a more open forest structure, maintain wildlife habitat, rejuvenate understory vegetation and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the areas. The exact timing of this burn wil...l depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Burning will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for a low-intensity to moderate-intensity fire. This helps minimize the amount of smoke generated. Smoke will be visible from Kimberley, Cranbrook and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 93 and Highway 95A. For more details about this burn project, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/z68030rdCQZ

Devin Huziak works out of the Arrow Fire Zone in the Southeast Fire Centre as an initial attack crew leader. He is currently deployed to Redmond, Oregon to support the wildfire efforts. This is Devin’s 10th season with BC Wildfire Service and his first international deployment. Thank you Devin and all other personnel who put their names forward to support our southern neighbours.

Between mid-September and the end of October, BC Wildfire Service will be conducting a prescribed burn in conjunction with the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia to reduce the risk of wildfire impacting the community of Houston. BC Wildfire Service personnel will monitor the fire at all times and burning will only occur when conditions are appropriate. Applying prescribed fire to the predetermined areas will remove residual slash left-over after harvesting and reduce fuel load that, in the event of a wildfire, could lead to more intense fire behaviour and added difficulty and danger to suppression efforts. For more details on this burn and to learn more about prescribed fire, please refer to the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/BIcH30raBj6.

The BC Wildfire Service and BC Parks plan to conduct a 22-hectare ecosystem restoration burn in the West Arm Park area of the Southeast Fire Centre, about 5.7 kilometres northeast of Nelson. This burn will help restore forest health and decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the area. The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Burning will proceed only if conditions are suitable and... allow for a low-intensity to moderate-intensity fire. This helps minimize the amount of smoke generated. Smoke will be visible from Nelson and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 3A. For more details about this burn project, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/6Bpv30rdBvJ

An upper low is expected to move into southern portions of the province this weekend. Winds are forecast to be light to moderate from the southwest, giving some clearing of wildfire smoke. As smoke clears, existing fires may become more visible. To view an interactive map of all fires burning in the province, visit the B.C. Wildfire Dashboard: http://ow.ly/ac7O30raBcM. Smoke may be visible from the Little White Mountain wildfire (K51766), located approximately 25 kilometres s...outheast of Kelowna, and the Christie Mountain wildfire (K51287) which is south of Penticton on the east side of Skaha Lake. Further east, smoke may seen from the Talbott Creek wildfire (N51250) in the Slocan Valley, the Woodbury Creek wildfire (N71114) on the eastern edge of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, southwest of Kaslo, and the Doctor Creek wildfire (N21257), 25 kilometres southwest of Canal Flats. If you think you see smoke from a new wildfire, please call 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on your cell phone.

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, Category 3 open burning prohibitions will be rescinded in the Columbia fire zone of the Southeast Fire Centre due to decreased wildfire risk. However, considering current weather patterns, Category 3 open burning will remain prohibited in the Cranbrook, Invermere, Arrow, Kootenay Lake, and Boundary fire zones within the Southeast Fire Centre. For more information about open burning within the Southeast Fire Centre and ...a map of the affected areas, please visit: http://ow.ly/fuuQ30rdueM As a reminder, anyone planning to conduct a Category 3 burn must obtain a burn registration number ahead of time (at no charge) by calling 1 888 797-1717 and all Category 3 open fires must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Learn more about the regulations around Category 3 open fires: http://ow.ly/dV2B50BIiZk

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Talbott Creek wildfire north of Castlegar. Although it is exhibiting minimal fire behaviour, a drone scan completed on Sept. 28 showed a small number of hot spots. Ground crews were deployed to extinguish the hot spots along the fire’s perimeter. The BC Wildfire Service installed a high-altitude remote camera on the east flank of this fire to provide hourly updates on its behaviour. Small pockets of previously unburned fue...ls have been igniting within the fire’s perimeter. As a result, smoke may continue to be seen by people in surrounding communities in the coming weeks. This is a common occurrence with large wildfires. BC Wildfire Service personnel continue to monitor the fire and respond as required.

Effective at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) today, BC Wildfire Service will rescind the Area Restriction for the Doctor Creek wildfire (N21275). Firefighting personnel no longer need to restrict public access to operate efficiently and safely; however, the Doctor Creek wildfire remains an active worksite and the public should always exercise caution while travelling and recreating in the area. Safety hazards such as dead trees and ash pits may be present. Nearby communities and public travelling through the area can still expect to see smoke within the fire’s perimeter over the coming weeks. This is common with large wildfires, and smoke will continue to be visible until there is significant rainfall at the site. For more information, read our information bulletin: http://ow.ly/wMb530rapWT

The BC Wildfire Service plans to burn 520 piles of wood debris in three locations in the Merritt area over the next few months to help manage wildfire risk, rehabilitate the landscape, and reduce accumulations of forest fuels in interface zones around the community. The first of these burns are scheduled to start as early as Oct. 5, 2020, and they will continue periodically until Dec. 20, 2020. Pile burning will occur in the following locations:... Fox Farm 154 piles east of Highway 5, at about the five-kilometre mark on the Fox Farm Road Rodeo Grounds 326 piles southwest of Merritt, about two kilometres up the Lindley Creek Road North Nicola 40 piles along North Nicola Road, between the 2.5-kilometre mark and the 3.5-kilometre mark Smoke from these burn piles will be visible from the City of Merritt and surrounding areas. For more details, please read the information bulletin: http://ow.ly/UMmK30rcPI4

As the western United States are experiencing an unprecedented level of wildfire activity, the BC Wildfire Service has committed to sending an initial group of 207 firefighters and related personnel to Redmond, Oregon, and will potentially be sending an additional 200 personnel in the coming days and weeks. Health and safety are our first priorities and therefore the B.C. firefighters and staff will be taking extraordinary precautions to safeguard the health of everyone participating in this deployment, both during their time in the U.S. and upon return to Canada. For more information, please refer to the news release: http://ow.ly/vMnK30ralzN

The BC Wildfire Service is currently responding to the Little White Mountain wildfire (K51766) located approximately 25 kilometres south of Kelowna. The fire is currently estimated to be 15 hectares in size. Airtankers have completed their objectives on the incident this afternoon and 18 firefighters remain on site working to establish control lines. Ground crews are being supported by two helicopters.

On the Doctor Creek wildfire (N21257) Monday afternoon, small-scale ignition operations were successful in removing the remaining unburnt fuel in a cut block between the fire’s perimeter and control lines. Due to conditions on site, the ignitions were largely conducted through aerial operations. A Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) was used to accurately deploy plastic spheres into the unburnt section. A chemical reaction causes the golf-ball-sized spheres to ignite shortly after... they reach the forest floor. This operation was supplemented by crews on the ground, who provided support through small-scale hand ignitions. Monday’s planned ignitions supported the planned ignitions completed on Sept. 11. The video was taken from the angle of the PSD operator and shows the plastic spheres, the PSD and the fire slowly burning down to the control line. It was filmed after the PSD was used. See more

UPDATE: these technical issues have been resolved. Both maps now display accurate data. BC Wildfire Service is currently experiencing technical difficulties with the statistical data displayed on the B.C. Wildfire Dashboard and on the BC Wildfire Service Mobile App. We are working to fix this issue as quickly as possible and will advise when the problem is solved. To date, there have been 629 wildfires with a total of 15,318 hectares burned.

Being FireSmart makes it easier for firefighters to defend your home from wildfire. BC Wildfire Service Officer, Rob Dombowsky, explains how important it is to create defensible space to help reduce wildfire hazards.

The BC Wildfire Service would like to remind residents and recreation users that the amended area restriction for crown land in the vicinity of the Doctor Creek wildfire remains in place as it continues to be an active worksite. As such, we will continue to have crews, aircraft and equipment working in the vicinity. For responder and public safety please adhere to all posted signage and the area restriction details: Under this Order and section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a pe...rson must not remain in or enter the restricted area, unless the person: 1.) first receives written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, or 2.) enters the area only in the course of: (a) travelling to or from his or her residence, that is not under an evacuation order; (b) using a highway as defined in the Transportation Act; (c) travelling as a person acting in an official capacity as defined in s.56 of the Wildfire Act; or (d) travelling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression or enforcement patrol activities. This area restriction is currently in effect until Oct 15, 2020 or when rescinded. For the area restriction map please visit: http://ow.ly/hcsz30r7EjE and for additional information on Doctor Creek wildfire please visit the Wildfires of Note page: http://ow.ly/buor50BcU7N

Effective at noon today, BC Wildfire Service will rescind the Area Restriction which was established around the Christie Mountain wildfire (K51287). Firefighting personnel no longer need to restrict public access to operate efficiently and safely; however, the Christie Mountain wildfire remains an active worksite and the public should always exercise caution while travelling in the area. Safety hazards such as dead trees and ash pits may be present. For more information, read our Information Bulletin: http://ow.ly/Ajr830r9NZJ

The BC Wildfire Service is monitoring regions impacted by wildfire smoke throughout southern British Columbia. This smoke was forecasted to move into the province over the weekend and is a result of a southern air flow bringing smoke into Canada from wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and California. This significant influx of wildfire smoke creates poor visibility and may impact aviation resources ability to safely support active fires in southern regions of the province. Con...ditions may improve in the first half of the week; however, there is potential for additional smoke events in the coming weeks as fire activity continues in the United States. To view an interactive map of the current smoke forecast, please visit: http://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/ For Environment Canada Weather Alerts, please visit: weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html For BC Air Quality information including advisories, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca//env/air-land-water/air/air-quality

The Talbott Creek (N51250) wildfire has grown significantly to the north and along the ridge on the eastern edge of the fire. Fire spots have also been observed in the Draw Creek drainage. The fire is now estimated at 800 hectares. Due to poor visibility caused by heavy smoke in the area, helicopters are unable to fly until conditions improve. Crews will continue work where they can safely access the fire by ground. Emphasis will be on structure protection. For the most up-to-date information on the Talbott Creek wildfire, visit the Fires of Note page at http://ow.ly/b7fz30r9BK9

The Doctor Creek (N21257) wildfire is now classified as Being Held which means that (with the resources currently committed to the fire) sufficient suppression action has been taken that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing and predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions. As a result of yesterday’s planned ignitions and smoke drifting into the area from wildfires burning in the United States, aviation resources are unable to complete a... new perimeter track. When smoke dissipates, an aerial track will be completed. The fire is currently estimated to be 8,090 hectares in size. Recent growth is the result of yesterday’s successful planned ignitions that brought that fire’s edge down to more accessible terrain. These pictures were taken this afternoon, while crews were working to establish a water delivery system along the southeast flank and patrolling the fuel free buffer zone and adjacent control lines to ensure no further spread. For the most up-to-date information on the Doctor Creek wildfire, please visit the Wildfires of Note page: http://ow.ly/buor50BcU7N

Update on the Talbott Creek (N51250) wildfire: Hot, dry weather and low humidity have caused an increase in fire behaviour over the past few days. The majority of fire activity and the focus of suppression efforts has been on the northeast portion of the fire. Heavy smoke has caused visibility challenges in the mornings. A hose lay is being constructed from the Slocan River to the east flank, and a contingency line is being constructed on the north flank by machinery. Crews ...continue to be supported by helicopters dropping water in areas that are inaccessible to ground crews and on hot spots on the northwest, west, south and southwest flanks of the fire. Airtankers were also on site this afternoon. Area restrictions remain in place on the Tedesco Forest Service Road. A map of the restricted area can be found here: http://ow.ly/uXGh30r9nvt or visit the Wildfire of Note webpage: http://ow.ly/pybx50Bj27S