The BC Wildfire Service has extended an area restriction order in the vicinity of the Ross Moore Lake fire, south of Kamloops, by another three weeks.

This latest extension of the order – which was enacted on Aug. 17 – is set to be in effect until noon on Oct. 3. It applies to all Crown land as outlined in the heavy black dashed and shaded grey line here.

“The restriction area has decreased to reflect the areas where personnel, heavy equipment and helicopters continue to work,” the BC Wildfire Service said. “[It] reflects the ongoing need to protect public and BC Wildfire Service personnel safety in areas where fire suppression activities are taking place.”

“The BC Wildfire Service would like to remind the public that while access to private residences are permitted, the public must remain out of active fire areas. Interference in these areas has a direct impact on operations and poses a safety risk to both the individual and to BC Wildfire Service personnel.”

The extension of the area restriction order – which also prohibits hunters from entering the area – comes one day after the TNRD’s Knutsford Area Director, Doug Haughton, urged people to not to go hunting in the areas affected by the Ross Moore Lake fire.

“The poor wildlife have had the heck knocked out of them, and they need to get back on their feet, so I highly recommend that the hunting public go somewhere else,” Haughton told Radio NL

“The place is still recovering from a disaster. We have fences down, roads and gates smashed, it is a war zone this year.”

The BC Wildfire Service says fire activity on the Ross Moore Lake wildfire – which is currently being held at 114-square kilometres in size – has decreased. All TNRD evacuation alerts south of Kamloops were rescinded on Tuesday.

People who fail to comply with the area restriction order could be fined $1,150.