CASTLEGAR – With dry lightning and gusty winds in the weather forecast, the BC Wildfire Service is encouraging people to be extremely cautious and remain vigilant when out in the backcountry to avoid sparking human-caused wildfires.

The Southeast Fire Centre is currently experiencing very dry conditions and elevated fire danger ratings. The fire danger rating is “high” to “extreme” throughout the region.

The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its support and understanding throughout this busy and challenging fire season, and for continuing to report wildfires and open burning violations to the Wildfire Reporting Hotline at 1 800 663-5555 (toll-free) or *5555 on a cellphone.

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

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 at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo