The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and the Tahltan First Nation are being awarded more than $219,000 for three projects under the special circumstance provision of the BC Rural Dividend.

The BC Wildfire Service continues to battle wildfires within the Northwest Fire Centre.

Under the BC Rural Dividend Program, the Government of British Columbia is providing $1.76 million for 11 projects in northern B.C., Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, announced today.

Effective at noon on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, campfires will once again be allowed in the entire Northwest Fire Centre.

Effective at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, campfires will once again be allowed in some areas of the Northwest Fire Centre: the Skeena Stikine Forest District (the Cassiar Fire Zone and Bulkley Fire Zone) and the Coast Mountain Forest District (the Skeena Fire Zone).

Smoke originating from wildfires in the Prince George Fire Centre and Cariboo Fire Centre has been visible in most areas of the Nadina, Bulkley and Skeena fire zones in the Northwest Fire Centre. This smoke is expected to linger in the area for the next few days.

Hot and dry weather is in the forecast for the northwest part of the province, so the BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public that all open burning, including campfires, remains prohibited in the entire Northwest Fire Centre.

Given current and predicted weather conditions, the BC Wildfire Service is encouraging members of the public and industry personnel to exercise caution when doing any outdoor burning.

The Province continues to expand forest opportunities for individuals, groups and First Nations with the offering of a new woodlot licence near Smithers.

Three fires that the Northwest Fire Centre recently responded to in the Terrace area are now under investigation by compliance and enforcement officers from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. These fires are suspected to be human-caused and may have been deliberately set. The RCMP has been advised and the incidents will be referred to the RCMP if warranted.