Fire Centre Crews from PG and Smithers head to Yukon on Jun22   photo courtesy BC Forest Fire Info

Prince George, BC –  The wet spring has kept a lid on forest fires in the Prince George Fire Centre…

"We have had a couple of fires recently due to lightning up in the north," says Fire Information Officer, Jill Chimko.  "But, so far, we’ve continued on quite a slow pattern for the past three weeks or so."

Chimko says four three-person initial attack crews from the local fire centre flew to Whitehorse to assist with several new fire starts in the Yukon in late June.  Nine personnel were sent from the NorthWest Fire Centre.

The Fire Information Officer says the biggest area of concern in the region right now is the northeast corner of the province, but there are no fires of note (fires larger than 10-hectares) burning at this point.  Of the 17 fires of note so far this season, all are out, except one that is under patrol.

"It is typical that we see a lot of rain in June," says Chimko.  "We definitely do prepare for things to pick up in July and August when we do see more heating and drying out."

Chimko reminds campers taking advantage of the long weekend to be careful with their campfires – by law, they must be completely extinguished before leaving the area.  And there is a Category 2  ban on open fires and fireworks.