The Kamloops Fire Centre is reminding the public that a Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibition came into effect at noon on May 19.

Effective at noon on May 19, 2017, the size of open fires will be restricted in some parts of the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

The B.C. government is providing $20,000 to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to help manage invasive plants in the region.

Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing $9,971 in a new project development grant to the Simpcw First Nation.

Wildfires are rare in B.C. at this time of year, but the smoke from legal, registered open burns is often mistaken for smoke from a wildfire. This is especially true in late fall when such fires are often lit to dispose of vegetation and wood debris.

The BC Wildfire Service is planning to burn about 75 piles of wood debris in the Mount Kobau area, about 15 kilometres northwest of Osoyoos. These burns are scheduled to start on Monday, Nov. 7 and will be concluded by the end of December 2016.

Firefighting aircraft will be visible in the skies above West Kelowna at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26, as part of an aviation demonstration associated with the Wildland Fire Canada 2016 conference.

Effective at noon on Saturday, Oct. 15, the current Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions will be rescinded throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing $71,600 to the Adams Lake Indian Band, MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson Todd Stone announced.