Effective at noon on Oct. 7, 2014, Category 3 open fires will once again be allowed in the Cariboo Fire Centre east of the Fraser River. However, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited west of the Fraser River.

Effective at noon (PDT) on Sept. 30, 2014, Category 2 open fires will be allowed in the Cariboo Fire Centre east of the Fraser River but will remain banned in areas west of the Fraser River.

The latest testing on sediment samples taken by Ministry of Environment staff from the Mount Polley mine site and Hazeltine Creek are consistent with previous sample results.

The latest water samples from Quesnel Lake and Quesnel River are consistent with previous results and Interior Health reaffirms the water located outside the “Do Not Use” area remains safe to drink.

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.

The latest water samples from Quesnel Lake and Quesnel River are consistent with previous results and Interior Health reaffirms the water in the area is safe to drink.

Testing continues on sediment samples and water-quality samples taken by Ministry of Environment staff.

Despite cooler temperatures and recent rain showers in some areas, campfires are still prohibited in a large part of the Cariboo Fire Centre.