The B.C. government has provided more than $2.8 million in grants to 15 local governments and First Nations in the Southeast Fire Centre to support wildfire risk reduction initiatives and help keep communities safe.

The British Columbia government is extending a heritage site management agreement with the Friends of Fort Steele Society for another five years.

Due to recent wildfire activity in the Southeast Fire Centre, the BC Wildfire Service has closed three forest service roads near active fires to help protect public safety and assist firefighting operations.

The Province is providing $250,000 to the Kootenay Livestock Association over the next three years for projects administered under the Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program (GREP), Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East, announced on behalf of Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.

Vehicle access closures that took effect in early September in areas surrounding Iron, Big Sand and Little Sand creeks are being lifted to allow further study and more extensive community consultation.

Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing $204,992 to three successful proponents in the Cranbrook area, MLA for Kootenay East Bill Bennett announced.

The Province is accepting bids on a new woodlot licence in Skookumchuk, a move that will eventually generate new job opportunities across the region.

Local residents may see biologists ice fishing on Moyie Lake, beginning in mid-February to help recover burbot populations.