With weather conditions expected to remain warm and dry, water users in the North Thompson region are being urged to reduce water consumption, and the Government of B.C. has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the area.

Construction is now underway on a new air-quality monitoring site for Kamloops residents at Pacific Way Elementary school in the Upper Aberdeen neighbourhood.

Much of the smoke that’s currently visible in parts of the Southeast Fire Centre is not coming from wildfires in B.C., but instead emanating from fires in Oregon, California and Washington.

Individuals and organizations wishing to provide written submissions about their vision for B.C.’s new climate action plan now have until Sept. 14, 2015 to offer input. The extension comes in response to requests from many groups, who would like additional time to prepare more comprehensive submissions.

The Ministry of Agriculture is offering three Mazzaella japonica harvest licences and increased quotas for the 2015-16 beach-cast seaweed harvest season in the Deep Bay and Bowser area.

Effective at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will once again be allowed within the Northwest Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with the exception of the Nadina Fire Zone.