The recent downturn in weather has given the Southeast Fire Centre some breathing room, but wildfire season is not over just yet.
All remaining evacuation alerts, orders and area restrictions have been lifted across the entire Southeast as a result of recent wet and cool conditions.
“The Southeast Fire Centre currently has 77 active wildfires. 59 are being held, 18 are under control and none are currently listed as out of control,” said Alexander Robinson, Southeast Fire Centre Information Officer
However, Robinson says we are not out of the woods just yet, as the fire danger rating has increased as temperatures rise again.
“Precipitation in recent weeks has helped to decrease fire activity, but it’s important to remain mindful as a warming and drying trend comes in,” said Robinson.
“We live in a heavily forested, mountainous area. There is always going to be some wildfire risk until the snow settles in.”
While campfire bans have been lifted, Robinson said fire safety should always be in mind.
“Be sure to keep that campfire to half a metre by half a metre, and have a shovel and at least eight litres of water on hand to put out the fire. Make sure the fire is cool to the touch before you leave it and never leave your campfire unattended,” said Robinson.
While fire activity has died down, you will still see smoke rising from those areas for the next few weeks, but smoke rising from unburned fuel or from outside a fire’s perimeter should be reported.
Bans on any fires larger than a campfire are still in place across the Southeast Fire Centre.
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