The recent B.C. heat wave has caused a big turnaround for the province’s forests, raising fire danger ratings to extreme in certain areas.
In the Kamloops Forest District, which covers most of the southern Interior, the fire danger rating has shot up from moderate to high. A large area around Prince George as well as sections of the southern Interior that include parts of the Shuswap have been placed under extreme fire risk.
“We have lots of people out there in the backcountry and we want to make sure they’re being vigilant with their campfires,” fire information officer Kayla Pepper said.
Following temperatures of 37 and 38 degrees over the weekend, the Lac Le Jeune campsite outside of Merritt is also under an extreme fire risk.
The BC Forest Service says people can still have campfires, but also asks that they use extra caution.
"We’ve had a couple fire pits left, just smoldering. It’s important that you put your fire out,” Brandy Simpson of the Lac Le Jeune campsite said.
According to officials, bans could come into place if campfires aren’t extinguished.
Last week, a wildfire at Wilson’s Landing near Kelowna broke out. It was fully contained before high winds revived the blaze and caused it to explode in size.
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Kent Molgat
