The Cariboo Fire Centre (CFC) and Wildfire Management Branch (WMB) weather stations report the fire danger rating has moved to extreme near Middle Lake in the west Chilcotin.
It's the first extreme rating for the season in the region.
A high rating exists in the Quesnel region, near Riske Creek and Tatla Lake in the Chilcotin, and Deception, Prairie Creek and Windy Mountain in the Interlakes region, while a moderate rating exists throughout the rest of the CFC.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been a total of 57 wildfires in the CFC this season, 44 person-caused and 13 lightning-caused, burning 1,068 hectares.
"The Chilcotin has accounted for 26 of the person-caused fires," said fire information officer Greig Bethel in a press release Tuesday.
"The CFC would like to remind the public that there is an open burning prohibition in place for the entire Cariboo-Chilcotin region, banning any backyard and industrial waste, slash or grass fires, which came into effect on April 15. The CFC would also like to remind the public to be vigilant with any type of fire use, including campfires, and to properly and safely extinguish cigarettes," the press release said.
Meanwhile, the CFC’s Quesnel-based Blackwater Unit crew continues to work on a lightning-caused wildfire near Mount Brew, east of Likely and north of Quesnel Lake. The small fire is burning in steep, difficult terrain.
The CFC covers an area of about 10.3-million hectares, stretching from Clinton north to the Cottonwood River, east to Wells Gray Provincial Park, and west to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on your cellphone. For more information on open fire restrictions or for updates on current wildfire activity, visit bcwildfire.ca.