KAMLOOPS – With gusty winds in the weather forecast as early as this evening and continuing into Sunday, the BC Wildfire Service is encouraging people to remain vigilant and avoid going into the backcountry to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

The wind may also cause increased fire activity and smoke visibility in areas near wildfires.

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

The Kamloops 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