Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson issued the following statement in response to a July 10 incident involving a firefighting aircraft working on the Puntzi Lake wildfire.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a one-hectare wildfire in the community of Cedarvale, about 46 kilometres southwest of Hazelton.

Work has begun on $9.1 million worth of highway improvements that will benefit drivers, cyclists and pedestrians along Highway 14 in and around Sooke as part of a partnership between the Province and the District of Sooke.

Work is underway to upgrade a key highway intersection in Lake Country to improve safety and access for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The Red River wildfire, located about 65 kilometres southeast of Watson Lake, is now estimated to have burned over 2,000 hectares. No structures are threatened at this time.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone has issued the following statement on the results of the transportation plebiscite in Metro Vancouver:

Improvements are coming to Highway 97D between the interchange at the Coquihalla Highway and Logan Lake this year.

Effective at noon Pacific Time on Thursday, July 2, 2015, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.