The forest fire season may not be over just yet.
The provincial government is urging the public to be extremely careful with campfires and other burning this week as summer weather finally arrives.
Hot temperatures and dry conditions are forecasted through Friday, and officials are advising campers and others to never leave a fire unattended and always ensure adequate water and hand tools are nearby to prevent escapes.
"I'm urging people to be vigilant with any outdoor burning and to remember that a wildfire can start in an instant," said forests, lands and natural resource operations Minister Steve Thomson in a statement issued Tuesday.
The fire danger rating is currently moderate to high in the Prince George, Fort St. John, and Dawson Creek fire zones and low to moderate across the Fort Nelson, Mackenzie, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and Robson Valley zones.
Since April 1, the Prince George Fire Centre has responded to 77 wildfires of which 32 were person-caused.
There are only two fires of note burning in northern B.C. currently - 167 hectare blaze near Hosti Lake, northwest of Fort Nelson and an 11,000 hectare fire near Blue River, about 75 kilometres south of Watson Lake, Yukon. Highway 37 remains open to traffic.
In contrast, in late August, crews found themselves fighting fires adding up to more than 40,000 hectares at Pelican Lake, 70 kilometres southwest of Prince George and the 40,000-hectare Binta Lake fire, 150 kilometres west of Prince George.
They were the two largest fires in the province at the time.
Leaving a campfire unattended can result in a $345 fine. If your campfire causes a wildfire, you may also be held liable for suppression costs and damages.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellphone or toll-free to 1 800 663-5555.
