The Ministry of Environment advises that a series of ecosystem restoration burns is planned for the Churn Creek Protected Area from March 25 to April 17, 2015, weather permitting.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is planning a series of controlled burns near Chimney Lake and Felker Lake from March 17 to April 10, 2015, weather conditions permitting.

Applications to participate in the province's Rural Advisory Council are now being accepted until Jan. 9, 2015.

Results from fish tissue collected from Quesnel Lake on Aug. 9 and 10, 2014, are consistent with provincial background data collected from 54 uncontaminated lakes across the province, indicating no health concern.

On Sept.4, 2014, the Mount Polley mining facility was inspected by staff from the Ministry of Environment and was found to be out of compliance with the Environmental Management Act (EMA) because effluent was still discharging from the tailings storage facility into Hazeltine Creek.

Effective at noon on Sept. 5, 2014, campfires will once again be allowed throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre's jurisdiction, due to cooler weather in the forecast and fall weather patterns that have resulted in a decreased wildfire risk in the region.

Water samples taken on Aug. 10, 2014, from Quesnel Lake near the mouth of Hazeltine Creek have been tested and confirm all samples continue to meet provincial and federal drinking water guidelines.

Water samples taken on Aug. 9, 2014, from three locations in the Quesnel River and Quesnel Lake have been tested and confirm that all samples, once again, meet provincial and federal drinking water guidelines.

Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address and investigate the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to continue testing local water samples, to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents, and to assist with recovery efforts in the region.

The Wildfire Management Branch is responding to a wildfire about 14 kilometres west of Bull Canyon on the north side of Highway 20. It currently covers an estimated 600 hectares.