Photo: Contributed

Devastation from the Rock Creek wildfire.

The B.C. Wildfire Service is warning people to be careful in the woods this coming long weekend.

On top of the normal uptick in activity in the backwoods that comes with any long weekend is the likelihood of pre-grad bush parties.

"We are definitely in tune to that, and the same thing going into the Canada Day long weekend and August long weekend as well," said chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek.

"Unfortunately, given the volume of people who are going to be out there, whether it's for grad parties or the midst of summer, we do see an increase in new fire starts."

Skrepnek said local fire zones are aware of areas that could be more active than usual.

"We work with the RCMP, fire wardens and fire crews."

Many bush party fires fall outside provincial jurisdiction.

"Quite often, with these parties, they are not that far out of the city," said Skrepnek. "They often fall within fire department jurisdiction. I'm sure the local fire departments are also gearing up to keep an eye on areas they know have been of concern in the past."

Despite the change in weather over the past week or so, Skrepnek said people still need to be careful in the woods.

He said, while the campfire ban has been lifted through much of the province, there are strict sizes associated with any fire.

"Anything over a half metre by a half metre is still prohibited."

And while the threat of major wildfires has diminished, fire season is far from over.

"We have seen a shift in the weather and that has definitely diminished the conditions we were seeing as far as the fire danger rating and what the threat is out there," said Skrepnek.