Smoke from the Sitkum Creek wildfire continues to be visible in the Kootenays, but authorities have confirmed there is no ongoing threat to nearby communities.
"The smoke is emanating from pockets of unburned fuel well within the fire's secure containment lines," wrote Fanny Bernard of BC Wildfire Service. "Depending on local weather conditions these small, contained fires may flare up occassionally, but they pose no threat...The site is being monitored by BC Wildfire Service personnel."
Due to extensive burn-out operations, there are solid containment lines along the fire's perimeter. The smoke that is currently visible was expected, since not every spot in the 777-hectare fire has yet to be extinguished.
"With the return of hot and dry conditions in the region, wildfire behaviour will likely increase through Thursday as temperatures increase and humidity levels decrease. The public is reminded to exercise extreme caution when they're in forested areas or grassland. Human-caused fires divert critical firefighting resources from naturally occurring wildfires."
The fire danger rating for large areas of the Southeast Fire Centre is high, with some areas extreme. Fire danger rating are expecting to increase in the next few days.
"The BC Wildfire Service would like to thank the public for respecting the open burning restrictions that are now in place...These prohibitions include a ban on campfires, fireworks and burning barrels of any size."
For the latest information on wildfire activity visit bcwildfire.ca. To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
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