Campfire bans, backcountry restrictions lifted in B.C. as wildfire risk drops
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Restrictions on travel to British Columbia’s backcountry and bans on campfires were lifted in some parts of the province on Wednesday as improved conditions lowered the wildfire risk.
Campfires were once again allowed in most areas of the Prince George and northwest fire centres while officials from the BC Wildfire Service say a ban prohibiting access to the backcountry in the Cariboo region was also scheduled to be rescinded by the end of the day.
Kevin Skrepnek of the wildfire service said although calm weather conditions are expected to change in the coming days, forecasted storms shouldn’t be severe and will bring more rain.
The restrictions were extreme and reflected the severity of a historic wildfire season that has seen more than 10,000 square kilometres of land scorched, Skrepnek said.