Prince George Fire Centre urges caution over the long weekend

The B.C. Wildfire Service is urging caution this long weekend despite the recent rainy weather

"We understand that camping is a big part in peoples lives and we encourage everyone to stay up-to-date on current wildfire activity, bans and restrictions in your area, local conditions, as well as current and forecasted weather, including the latest seasonal outlook for summer 2024," the service states in a release.

While Category 1 (campfires) open burning is currently permitted in the Prince George Fire Centre area, it is important that everyone do their part to prevent unnecessary human-caused wildfires, the service states.

For individuals heading out into the backcountry, it is imperative that before entering any area affected by a wildfire (including areas where holdover fires may be present), individuals are aware that significant safety hazards may be present.

About 40 per cent of wildfires are first reported by members of the public. There are a number of ways to report:

• Call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free
• Call *5555 from a cellphone
• Submit directly through the B.C. Wildfire Service mobile app

The service continues is dealing with new and holdover fires, including those in the Fort St. John and Fort Nelson zones.

It is expected that travellers will be able to see smoke in the vicinity of existing wildfires and it is critical to be aware of areas and roadways that may be impacted by wildfire.

More information on the current wildfire situation is available through to the BC Wildfire app or through the desktop dashboard map.