More than 130 fires still burning across B.C. as the province's record wildfire season continues

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      A little rain has brought some reprieve to crews battling B.C. wildfires. But in many areas, the situation remains bad and restrictions are still in effect across much of the province.

      “The B.C. Wildfire Service reminds the public that the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational or hunting purposes on Crown land remains prohibited within the Southeast Fire Centre,” reads the authority’s latest update, issued on September 11.

      “In addition, all Crown land within the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District remains closed to public access due to the current fire danger ratings and the number of wildfires burning in the region. While some parts of B.C. have been experiencing cooler temperatures and rain, the fire danger rating is still "high" or "extreme" in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre.”

      The cost of a ticket for violating those restrictions is $767.

      On September 7, the wildfire service lifted a ban on campfires in northern B.C. but kept an existing ban in place across most of the rest of the province.

      As of September 12, there were 136 wildfires active in B.C. that were larger than 0.01 hectares.

      It’s been a record summer for fires.

      So far in  the fiscal year 2017, the province has seen 1,246 wildfires burn 1.28 million hectares. That compares to a 10-year average of 154,944 hectares burned.

      During the last 10 years, the year with the second-most area of land lost to fires was 2014, when 369,168 hectares burned.

      On September 1, the provincial government extended a state of emergency for the fourth time this summer. It is scheduled to remain in effect until September 15.

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