Hot and dry weather is in the forecast throughout the province this weekend, along with strong, gusty winds. The BC Wildfire Service is preparing for increased wildfire activity and urges the public to be cautious with any activities in the backcountry.

Modern technology, improved infrastructure and newer and cleaner buses are topping the list of BC Transit projects for Kamloops soon to roll out under phase one of the new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Carpentry students at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) will benefit from the purchase of various tools, including new sliding compound mitre saws, routers and survey instruments, as part of a $300,000 investment by the Province in new industry-standard trades equipment.

The public is reminded that, despite recent rainfall, Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions remain in place throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Several road resurfacing projects are set to kick off in the Kamloops and Nicola Valley areas, including on Highway 97C in Logan Lake, Highway 8 outside of Merritt and on Douglas Lake and Long Lake Roads.

People in Naramata and surrounding areas may see smoke this morning from a small training burn occurring about five kilometres southeast of Naramata, along the Arawana Forest Service Road.

Effective at noon on June 16, 2016, the Kamloops Fire Centre will be expanding its current Category 2 and Category 3 open burning prohibitions to include a ban on the use of binary exploding targets.

More hot-in-place asphalt resurfacing projects are coming to the Kamloops area this summer, resulting in less greenhouse gas emissions during the construction process and smoother roads for local residents, tourists and industry.

Variable speed signs are now active in three locations throughout the province as part of a pilot project to help reduce the frequency and severity of weather-related crashes.

Excitement was in the air as Royal Inland Hospital celebrated 75 days until the opening of the new Clinical Services Building. The milestone was marked by the unveiling of a countdown clock that will signify the final days before care begins in the newest addition to the Royal Inland Hospital campus.