Williams Lake, B.C. – The Cariboo Fire Centre is restricting access to four lakes within its jurisdiction in an effort to ensure safety for aircraft involved in wildfire suppression operations.

Airtankers and helicopters need plenty of room to collect water from lakes as they re-load to work on active wildfires.  Recreational boaters and people on other watercraft can present a serious safety hazard, particularly if they attempt to get a close-up look at the firefighting aircraft.  That, in turn, interferes with the pilots’ ability to fight a fire since they can’t collect water with people in their way.

With wildfires threatening the Williams Lake area the BC Wildfire Service is taking enforcement measures  on four bodies of water to aid firefighters and protect public safety.  Effective immediately it has issued area restriction orders for Horse Lake, Williams Lake, Lac La Hache and Watson Lake.  The orders for all four lakes will remain in effect until August 25th, 2017.

Firefighting aircraft are taking water out of the four lakes for fire suppression.  Members of the public are not permitted to be on these lakes while the area restriction orders are in effect.

Patrols will be increased to ensure public compliance with these restrictions.