Close to a quarter of a million dollars have been donated by British Columbians at BC Liquor Stores for Fort McMurray wildfire relief efforts .

As wildfires rage in Fort McMurray, Alta., forcing the emergency evacuation of 80,000 residents, BC Liquor Stores customers can support Red Cross relief efforts there by donating at stores throughout the province.

The Dry Creek Improvement Project in Port Alberni is complete, thanks to over $2.7 million in funding split equally between the Government of Canada’s Building Canada Fund – Communities Component, the Province, and the City of Port Alberni.

The public is asked to exercise caution and prepare for localized flooding as water levels in Nicola Lake and river and surrounding streams increase due to rapid snowmelt and recent high temperatures.

As part of the public safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province of B.C. is committing $1.1 million in funding toward a shoreline protection and restoration project in Comox.

As part of the public safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province is committing $4 million in funding for shoreline flood mitigation projects in Abbotsford that, if left unrepaired, could undermine the dike protecting the Matsqui Prairie and important regional infrastructure.

The public is urged to take extra care and caution near the Okanagan River due to high water levels.

As part of the public-safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province is committing $16.6 million toward a flood mitigation project in Richmond that will upgrade multiple pump stations.