Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson applauded today's decision of the Legislative Assembly to form a Special Committee on Timber Supply to examine and make recommendations about mid-term timber supply in British Columbia, as a result of the mountain pine beetle infestation.

Local residents and school children were on hand to celebrate the release of 14,000 juvenile trout into Moberly Lake. The release of the trout is part of a six-year project to recover lake trout in Moberly Lake.

Effective at noon May 18, Category 2 open fires and fireworks will be prohibited across the Coastal Fire Centre, with the exception of Haida Gwaii and the Mount Waddington and Central Coast regional districts, to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

British Columbia is sending 41 firefighting personnel to Manitoba to assist that province with its firefighting efforts.

Effective at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 15, the size of open fires will be restricted in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources staff will team up with RCMP officers and other provincial officials in the Lake Koocanusa area May 17-21, to enforce an Open Fire Prohibition Order and help residents and visitors enjoy a safe and peaceful long weekend.

Anyone conducting spring burning this weekend is reminded to stay vigilant due to forecasts for warmer weather and gusty winds.

The Splatsin First Nation and the Province have reached an agreement that will allow the parking lot at Mabel Lake to reopen in time for the summer recreation season.

A more efficient permitting system has allowed construction to begin sooner on the Cape Scott Wind Farm, bringing hundreds of jobs to northern Vancouver Island.